1975

Megan rubbed her eyes as she hurriedly jumped out of her bed. She hated being late for school and she hoped today would be different. Recently her Mother had been driving her to school which helped to cut down on the bullying that Megan was enduring at the hands of some neighborhood boys.

Her Mother had spiraled further into her depression. Their Aunt Valerie had passed away, a victim of breast cancer several months ago. This had affected the entire family as Valerie was so beloved within the family and even the surrounding community. Valerie and Megan's grandmother had emigrated together with their children from Germany back in the 50's and had been best of friends. Now not only did Megan lose her Aunt, but now her Grandmother and Mother were crippled with the pain of their loss.

Donna's depression had caused her to lose her job and take to her bed even more. The beatings had stopped, but Megan's role of victim had now become that of a caretaker. Her Mother was incapable of working, cleaning, cooking or for that matter even being in public. She was okay if she was in her tiny little VW Bug, a safety net of some sort. In the car Donna felt secure and was able to drive Megan around to run errands.

Megan looked forward to the mornings. Mornings meant her Mother would drive her to the local 7-11. Megan loved going to 7-11 and having carte blanche at the register to choose whichever hostess product she wanted for breakfast. Her Mother no longer cooked, not that she ever really did before, but this was a tasty treat that Megan craved daily. Ho-Ho's, Twinkies, Cherry Pies, Snowballs and Honey buns were among her favorites. In return, all Megan had to do was to purchase her mother's Virginia slims cigarettes. Pretty fair trade off if you asked Megan. She loved those sugary treats as well as the avoidance of the male bullies down the street that would punch her and/or push her to the ground almost daily, never even needing a reason.

Today, Megan was going to do the grocery shopping. Her mother pulled up in front of Giant and let her out with a small list and a twenty dollar bill. They did not have much money so twenty dollars would go a long way. As Megan got out of the car she noticed the carnival was in town across the street. Lights from the rides were blinking and she could hear music playing. She always loved the tents filled with animals and unique people. She wondered if she would get to go this year. Last year she had gone with a neighbor's family and she had enjoyed it so much. It felt nice to be part of a family even if it was for only a few hours. She secretly hoped she would be asked again. She was still curious about the lady with the beard.

Megan headed into the store with her empty grocery cart. She placed her list and twenty dollars on the seat of the cart and made her way through the aisles, choosing the items that were on her list.

Half way through the store, Megan checked her list and was horrified to see that her money was gone. She panicked immediately and ran up and down the aisle looking for it. Not knowing what next to do she began to run up and down all the aisles in search of her money, even stopping other customers and asking them if they had seen her twenty dollar bill. The pity she saw on some of their faces went unnoticed by Megan as the panic inside her continued to build.

She could feel the tears uncontrollably make their way down her cheek. She tried as hard as she could to suppress the sobs that were involuntarily escaping her. She wiped her eyes as an elderly woman approached her.

"Are you lost my dear" the lady asked with such concern and kindness.

Sniffling Megan answered, "No…I lost my money."

"Oh dear, where are your parents?" she asked looking around to see if anyone was with the little girl.

"My Mommy is in the car and she will be so mad at me" Megan confessed.

"Well sweetie, calm down and let me take you up front and see what we can do. Okay?"

"Okay.." Megan said looking up into the ladies eyes and feeling better at seeing such kindness. She wiped her tears and followed the lady up to the Customer Service desk.

At the desk the clerk said no cash had been turned in and she sent one of the baggers to help in the search. Megan waited up front with the elderly lady. The boy returned and said he could not find the money and Megan began to cry again.

"Don't cry dear. Everything will be fine." She lady said trying to calm Megan again with her kindness.

"No it won't. We don't have money. My Mommy is going to be so mad at me." She repeated as she started to cry again.

The service clerk and the elderly lady exchanged looks of sadness and concern for Megan.

"What is your name?" the lady asked attempting to calm the sobbing child.

"Megan." She almost whispered back.

"Well, what a beautiful name! Megan, I think you might be in luck today." She said cheerily to the little girl. She pulled out a twenty dollar bill from her wallet and handed it to the Service lady. "How about she holds your money until you are done shopping and then come back up to the desk and she will ring you up. Sound good?" She asked.

"Oh, yes! Thank you so much." Megan said feeling so happy now and wrapping her arms around the lady's waist in a spontaneous hug.

"See Megan, good things can happen if you believe and work hard in life. There is always hope my dear, don't ever give up on hope." the lady said as she patted the top of Megan's head, before walking away.

Megan carried the image of this stranger with her and the feeling the woman had given her. A virtual stranger who had instantaneously made her feel so good inside from a simple act of kindness. Megan did carry the feeling of hope and joy with her for a long time, always remembering in her times of turmoil what the lady had done for her and how it had made her feel.

For the first time in her life, Megan felt hope.