A Green Coat

Last night I saw a picture on TV of a little girl swinging in a dark green coat with faux leopard fur around the hood and the cuffs. Boy, did that bring back a memory.

I remember when Mary Lee was about four years old and needed a winter coat. I wanted something nice enough for Sunday but one she could wear to school also. I was looking through the racks at Penney's when--there was her coat. It was beautiful. It was--you guessed it--dark green with faux leopard fur around the hood and cuffs. I fell in love with it on the spot--and then looked at the price tag. $80. Just too much to spend on a coat for a four-year-old; I just couldn't justify it. I reluctantly put the coat back on the rack and left.

Once home I sat down to read the paper, and about halfway through, saw a coupon. For Penney's. For 50% off of any one regularly priced item in the store. $40 I could justify! I flew back to Penney's and got the coat before anyone else could.

Mary Lee wore that coat for three years. She looked adorable in it and it was perfect for South Carolina winters.

After she outgrew it I kept it, waiting for the perfect opportunity to pass it along. Some missionaries to Russia came through asking for warm coats for the children at their orphanage. So that's where the coat ended up. I trust some little girl in Russia--by now probably more than one--has been kept as warm and has enjoyed that coat as much as Mary Lee and her mother did some twelve years ago.