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Thank you - and for thanks:

“Just take what you need.”

“What does that mean, anyway?”, Patton wondered aloud, as the escalator reached the top. “Why would someone put a sign like that, at the entrance to a department store?”

“I don’t know, hon’”, Alicia said, shifting the baby on her hip. “Help me off the escalator.”

“Wait – what is going on? We were in the car, coming home from the company party. What happened – where are we?”

“WE are on an escalator, and I am going to fall down and drop our baby, if you don’t give me a hand, you idiot.” Alicia smiled at Pat, demanding attention.

“Heh, heh – I love it when you turn into a daemon”, he said, forcing a grin, and helping her off the escalator.

Baby? Where did the baby come from? We were on our way home, and our youngest, 7 year-old Kelly, is safe at home with the sitter.

What the heck is going on?

“Please, sir, move forward with your wife and child. Just take what you need.” The store greeter, smartly dressed and strictly professional, urged them on.

Patton looked at his wife, after she got off the escalator, and he looked at the baby in her arms. He knew, with that look, that the baby was his – that it was theirs. “Alicia, what is going on? How do we have another baby?”

“The usual way, you goof. I was going to tell you tonight. It seems that plan has changed.”

“Oh.”

Patton looked around, noting absurd details. The baby was dressed, but had no shoes on. There was another sign, “Just take what you need.” And another, “No fire arms allowed.” But the baby was clothed, except for shoes – and she smelled nice. Another clerk approached, and said, “Please move your family forward, Sir – just take what you need, and it will become clear at the checkout counter. Please move forward.”

The store – oh, the store. An incredible, indescribable mix of the practical, along side the ridiculous – baby diapers next to displays of big, flat screen TV’s. And everywhere, the signs that read, “Just take what you need.”

Anyone asking for help, the clerks are there – “Please, if you need it, please take it.” They are always friendly, always ready with a smile, and help you load your cart.

Eventually, Patton comes upon a display or firearms. Long guns, scopes, beautiful gear he dreamed about, but never could afford – the stuff you drool over.

He picks up some scopes, and looks through them, longingly. And sighs, loudly.

“Take what you need.” “No Firearms allowed”,

As Patton is putting the expensive gear back, he thinks, “I don’t guess I need this.”

Also, the “No Firearms allowed” sign, above the gun rack, makes him wonder. What is really going on here? Why do the instructions not match the display?

As Patton sets down the last gun with regret, Alicia taps him on the shoulder. “I am ready to go.”

Patton looks around, noting the Baby’s new shoes. “Do we need those?”

“Of course, a baby must have shoes. I picked the practical ones, not the fancy ones.”, Alicia said.

“Oh”. Patton wondered how he would pay for the shoes – do they take Visa? Amex? An ATM card?

As soon as the thought popped up, the absurdity followed – why would they take Visa in heaven?

Obviously, they would want cash. Patton counted the few dollars in his pockets - $17

“hey, hon – I can cover the shoes if they are $17 or less. More than that, and we have to give them back”

Just admitting that to Alicia was so painful to him – such a loss of his self esteem. It was a reflection of the days when their first business went south, and they could not afford baby shoes, to this day, when needs were immediately met. Not desires, but certainly, needs.

Just then, another clerk appeared – “Don’t worry, just take what you need.”

Why do all the clerks wear red?

Patton and Alicia moved through the store, and joined the line to check out.

As they stood in line, Patton wondered, “What in the heck does ST Peter want with cash? And how will I pay for these baby shoes?”

Still, everywhere, thee signs, “Just take what you need.”

Patton and Alicia arrive at the register, finally at the front of the line. He is terrified, not to have enough money for the baby shoes, and to have to put them back. Not having enough money for the baby is failing, as a dad.

“Sir, what do I owe you?”, he asks.

The cashier looks at Alicia. Did you take what you need?

“I took shoes for the baby – my husband and I need nothing.”

”Then please proceed – you owe nothing.”

I remember thinking, why in the heck would G_D want cash, anyway?

Alicia took what we needed – baby shoes.

So, we moved on a few steps, and the next person in line came to the register.

That lady had $18,000 worth of flat-screen tv’s, gold jewelry, fur coats, and what not from the store – As Patton and Alicia walk on, they hear the clerk say, “Your Tab is $18K. Since you need these things, you may have them – we have no use for money here, so you must work off the debt at a penny an hour in the department store, until paid.”

Thank God the baby needed those shoes, or I would not have time to write this letter.