The Right Thing to Do

By Julie Arduini

“And above all these
things put on charity,
which is the bond
of perfectness."
Colossians 3:14

could see Mel Schutts approaching before I heard his shuffle down the senior center hall. My office, surrounded by windows, usually gave me a heads-up on upcoming visitors. A regular, Mel reminded me of Colonel Sanders with the white goatee, hair and a twinkle in his eyes.

"Hey there missy, got something for ya." Mel stuck his six-foot frame inside my office without knocking. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Martha's sewing kit. He placed the clear plastic tote on top of my budget reports.

"I know this kit meant everything to Martha, especially as she lost her sight." Mel nodded, opening the snaps to reveal a cornucopia of sewing products.

"You know young lady, I feel like I'm handin' you a million dollars. This was special to my Marty. You know, I started to speak to the Lord again last week and He told me I had to give this up. I know you'll do right by this." He presented the open box to me. I observed three packages of zippers for seventy-five cents from Woolworths.

"She wasn't a fan of zippers, but she wanted them on hand." Mel explained. I nodded, my mind flying with ideas. The center boasted over one hundred volunteers who did various things around the community. Phyllis Yates could use the zippers. She created jackets for local preschoolers.

"Mel, I'll put these to great use."

"I've got one stipulation. I mean, this is hard to do." His voice thickened as he focused on the faded tomato-shaped pin cushion. I reached out for his calloused hand.

"Name it, Mel. I'll do my best."

"Give the items away. Don't charge folks. Martha would want it that way. I bet half this stuff could go to her friends, you know?" I smiled, entertaining a plan as I ruffled through about fifty small spools of thread.

"You know Mel, I could use some help with this."

Mel picked up a pewter thimble. He looked out the office windows and saw two of his buddies heading to the billiard room. He rolled the thimble in between his thumb and index finger.