What I've Learned From Bell Ringing

Last night I apparently survived 23 degree bell ringing weather.

Survival tactic:

• Take people up on any offer of hot beverage no matter how much caffeine you've had
• Keep feet off concrete as much as possible
• Wrap wool blanket around waist/legs over wool coat and 4 other layers
  
• Sport UGGs
  

Some things I've learned from bell ringing:

• Men and women give about equally - yes I counted in my head during two different shifts. My shifts are 3-9pm. Women usually get ahead first but men catch up after 6pm and then they remain about equal. The first night I counted I had about 160 total givers. The second...closer to 200 I think.
• Some people think the Salvation Army kettle is actually a wishing well... for example: mom gives 5 year old daughter a dime to put in; girl comes over reaches up to put the dime in, holds it above the slot and exclaims with all earnestness "I wish for a Hannah Montana guitar for Christmas!" or this one from a middle age woman: "I have the hiccups and a dollar (pulls out dollar puts it in the kettel) this is my hiccup wish".
• Kids are cute when they are faced with money management decisions...and really not so different than their parents, just cuter: kid with 2 quarters comes up, puts one in and holds the other one up looks at me and says "I'm going to keep this one so we can go somewhere". Another one: Parents give their little boy a few coins to put in he's smiling walking towards me but then starts to walk past me, parents get his attention telling him to put the coins in the bucket. The kid looks at me with his coins, "No, thanks" and continues on towards the soda machine. Really, how is this any different from the man who walks by, opens his wallet and pulls out a dollar shoving the other ones and fives and tens back inside; or the woman who walks past and comes out later with a cart full or even just a bag full. The only difference is kids just say it..."Um, no thanks"..."Um, I'm going to save this one so I can go some where...or get a treat". Let's just be honest, huh? The kids are just being prudent with their cash.

• I'm no better or worse than anyone else....we're all just human beings. Here's my confession - it's easy to judge people, especially as you watch them come in and out of the store, give or not give, fat or skinny, rich or poor. My sometimes lazy mind falls prey to this as I'm bell ringing for hours on end. But, on one of my first nights, during my break, I was waiting at customer service to turn in my kettle. An older man asks me something. I respond. He asks what I'll do on my break. "Drink tea, sit down", I say. He says, "This might sound crazy, but would you buy an old man a cup of coffee? I promise to amuse you. I've been out in the woods...." I'm already responding "No, I don't have any cash....(lie) ..." I don't even remember what I said but for the weak apology as I turned to the customer service attendant who was ready to take my kettle. "Take care", I said as I walked away immediately appalled and disappointed at my lack of compassion, openness, honesty, willingness to buy this man a simple cup of coffee and a few minutes of my time. I was tired; wanted simply to sit, check out, put my feet up and drink my tea. And who wouldn't after 3 hours of standing in the cold, engaging the public as people give or don't give, look at you or ignore you, say something nice or something confusing or rude. I realized in that moment of weakness that I am just like all those people who walk by me and my kettle, we are all at times lost in self pity, too exhausted to care, too far away in our thoughts to notice, confused, sad, angry, hurt or totally distracted with elation; and in better moments self aware, open, observant, sensitive and compassionate...just like all those people who have bought me hot drinks or smiled warmly and thanked me or the tiny boy who gave me a hug after I let him ring the bell. We are all complex and vulnerable human beings capable of amazing feats of love and compassion if also willing to receive Love that is given to us...

*thanks to kelly for editing and everyone's favorite medical sit-com 'Scrubs' for my new skills in narrating my own life and providing some much needed comic relief on these long winter days.