The post office story

Something so strange happened today that I had to write about it. We were in line at the post office and Eli started to do his "shy act" (where he gives a little half-smile and buries his face in my shoulder) with the man behind us. I tried to get him to say hi, but he was sick and not really in the mood. All of a sudden, the man takes a post office beanie-baby bear off the shelf, gives it to Eli, and says that he wants to buy it for him. I was completely perplexed about how to handle this. I know that Eli is cute, and people are always talking to him, waving at him, or telling us how adorable he is. Once someone came up to us in a restaurant and complimented us on our well-behaved child. I've even had a woman chase us down in a museum in Branson JUST to get a close up look at Eli. But gifts from perfect strangers? I tried as best as I could to refuse, but of course I lost in the end. The really sad part about this is that instead of being grateful and accepting the gift, I was very suspicious of this man that only wanted to see my son smile.

By the way, Eli loves the bear.