Warm Coat/Operation warmth

I know I Had many coats before this, but one coat has stood out in my mind Forever.

I was in third grade.
Mrs. Kelly, the school Nurse called my home room and requested I come to her office.
I was scared. I thought I had committed an offense. but not me, all I did was talk a lot.
Otherwise I was honest, dependable, made good grades, came from a good family.
What can it be? What did I  do? I hope No shots.

As I slowly walked in, big eyed, terrorized. The nurse and the principal were smiling.
In front of me hung three coats. All my size.
My eyes never left the coats. They said, "Carolyn, these coats are free, you get first choice"
OH MY I had never seen such beautiful coats.
"Me,Me I can have one?" We were not used to charity, we did it all on our own, often getting school money by picking cotton.

I tried them on but my eyes were set on a plaid coat, fur collar trim with a matching hat.

I chose that one and proudly walked back to my class with my New Coat. I can bet you I watched the classroom coat rack all day. I was sure it would just disappear. I  never had something so beautiful.
Plus now I had a secret, something my older brothers and sisters knew nothing about.
As school was out that day, I grabbed my coat and quickly put it on.
 I am sure it was not even cold enough for a coat but I HAD ONE.
As the high school bus drove in to pick up the grade school kids, I hopped on my bus.

Questions began to arise. "Carolyn Sue where did you get that coat?' Did you just take  it off the rack?" Of course I just smiled and said nothing. NOTHING. My lips were sealed.
I wanted my Mama to see and know first.
When the bus stopped at our road, (we lived down a dirt country road) I jumped off and began running. I ran and ran as fast as my little short legs could go.
I remember running in the door with my older siblings not far behind. I was jumping with excitement. "Mama, Mama, Daddy, Daddy  look what Mrs. Kelly gave me,"

They said, "She would not tell us where she got it, she just kept her mouth shut and we were worried"

When my little Girl, Sheri was in third Grade, I found a similar coat in Sacramento. It was plaid with a beautiful little hat. I had to buy it, for my own child. I am sure I ran over the Coat story many times, She had to know, how precious that coat was to a child who had none.

So  today as Operation Warmth is in full swing. I want to donate a coat to some child. I remember how proud I  was to have warmth and warmth in style.

Be sure to take your old coats, Most are in Great condition, Wash them, Give them to a needy child, they will Never Forget.