Monday, January 28, 2013

Fortuitous Forty

Tapping the Stephanie Plum novel against my bare thigh, I paced around the library parking lot, my eyes intently scanning the blacktop. The plastic book cover occasionally held fast to my damp skin and crinkled upon release. I was sweating, both from the heat and because of what I had lost.

Was this ridiculous, yet hilarious, "beach read" worth my morning's wages?  Hardly, but it was beginning to look like I would be spending $40 in cash to borrow a library book.  For some equally ridiculous, yet not hilarious reason, I had chosen to slip the twice folded 20's under the rolled down waistband of my athletic shorts.  Apparently, I then leaped around the library property with such enthusiasm for reading that they had become dislodged somewhere.

Smelling like french fries and sticky with snow cone flavoring that, no doubt, speckled my t-shirt, I combed the library next.  After retracing my steps, I approached the help desk a bit wound up.  Forty dollars was a small fortune to me and I had essentially allowed it to fly away after all morning at the swim club.  I am certain many midday library eyes were on me, my voice wavering with emotion as I presented my plight.

Two library patrons, perhaps a middle aged daughter and her mother, sweetly and positively suggested I try the parking lot again.  Afterall, it was a breezy summer day, a rarity with the humidity we often have.  Perhaps the bills had blown into the bushes that ran along the road.  Weaving through a small group of children, I hustled back outside.

Just as I had given up, resigning myself to the fact that my foolishness would not pay off, I looked up to hear one of the ladies from the information desk call to me, "Sweetheart!  Over here!  We found your money next to our car.  It must have blown this way." 

I quickly jogged over sputtering something similar to, "What?  You did?!?  Oh my goodness, I can't believe it."

The younger woman handed me two twenty dollar bills neatly folded twice together just as I had described them and arranged them earlier myself.  I took the tiny treasure with both hands, my book and keys now under my arm. 

"Thank you SO much.  What a relief!  I just can't believe it.  This is so great.  Thanks again!  Take care!" 

Racing back to my car without waiting for their response, I placed the money in the cup holder and headed home.  Once there, I removed my wallet from the glove compartment and unfolded the precious 20's to finally set them secure.

I froze.  These were freshly minted bills, printed with the new design.  Jackson's now-extra-large chiseled face glared at me.

I knew my boss had handed me "old" 20's from the register; 20's that were well worn, and featured the president's bust like a cameo, small and neat within the oval.  Instantly humbled, I began to process that the cash had come from their own pockets.  They had played it off as a serendipitous discovery to save my pride.

I have told everyone I can about the kindness of these women. Nearly 15 years later I still feel overwhelmed.  Perhaps, to them, the money was just a drop in the bucket; a simple gesture to relieve the malaise of my immature missteps.  But to me it was much more.  It was a life lesson in love.  They taught me that just a bit of in-the-moment, conscious care can fill someone right up.

remember these?  I certainly did that day.  I lost two of 'em.

my fortuitous forty was in two of these babies.
   

51 comments:

  1. That was so incredibly nice of them!

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  2. Your last line is a total gem. I love it and hope to remember it and live by it.

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    1. What a nice compliment, thank you. I definitely try to live by it, too.

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  3. Such nice ladies! I have a soft spot for random acts of kindness by complete strangers.

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    1. It's chicken noodley for the soul, but I love it!

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  4. I've done this - though not with $40. It's amazing what a "find" can do for someone's mood. Thank you for trumpeting their deed!

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    1. It sounds cheesy, but it changed my life. My parents are incredibly thoughtful and giving people, but experiencing it from strangers made me think about giving differently.

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  5. Such awesome ladies! I guessed they were going to do that the minute they told you to look outside. I'm glad you are singing their praises here!

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  6. Oh, what nice ladies! So happy they looked out for you and were so kind.

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    1. Me too. What I did was silly, but they helped me anyway.

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  7. That restores my faith in the human race! What a great story. I lost a hundred dollar bill in Walmart. A hundred dollar bill. I was in the waiting room of the vision center and I'd put the bill in my back pocket with my phone. When I pulled the phone out...well, you know the rest. But I feel better knowing it was Walmart because the person who found it most likely really needed it. ;)

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  8. Such a wonderful thing to do. It's comforting to see how kind people can be.

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    1. It is indeed. And it feels comforting to do wonderful things too!

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  9. so sweet!! i love that they did that for you!!! :)

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  10. Did you just make me cry? You just made me cry. I love those ladies and I'm sure one of them was my grandma.

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    1. I take this as high praise. Thanks for commenting!

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  11. Awww how sweet of them! That makes me happy.

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  12. I cried too! You made me and Erica cry!! That is ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

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  13. If only we all could be like those two ladies - give just a little bit more than we take - then the world would be an awesomer place! What a great story!

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    1. I agree completely. Thanks so much for reading!

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  14. Faith in humanity restored! Yay! Those ladies are role models for everyday awesomeness!

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    1. Hooray! We could all use a bit more awesome in our lives.

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  15. Awesome story. It would be so cool if they somehow found this piece and read it. I was able to track down someone who had helped me when I was having a meltdown in elementary school one time. Her kindness had always stayed with me, and I thanked her 30 years later.

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    1. That's so cool that you got to tell her how much she meant to you. At the time, it didn't even occur to me to try to figure out who they were to thank them. I think that's why I tell the story a lot, though. It's the least I could do.

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  16. What a sweet story. I love reading about these acts of kindness. They can really be life-changing.

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    1. We are bombarded by so much bad news. I agree.

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  17. The kindness of others never fails to make a huge impression. Love your telling of this story!

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  18. When I get old (like, really old), I want to be just like those sweet old ladies!! Great story!

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  19. Kristin, I truly believe that these two women were angels. Remarkable story. You just inspired me to write about a similar experience I had a few years ago.

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  20. Those are the type of people that will stay with you your entire life.


    And, Janet Evanovich is the best for laugh out loud reading. Whenever my guys here me laugh in bed they ask me - are you reading that lady again?

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    1. Yay, finally someone called out Janet!!! Yes, laugh out loud reading, for sure. I actually just bought 14 and 15 at Goodwill because I never read those. Excited!!!

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  21. That is the happiest story I have heard in a long time! I laughed out loud in surprise. Thank you for sharing this lovely story and putting a smile on my face!

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    1. I am so glad! I love thinking about you laughing out loud at the end.

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  22. If only people could realize what a ripple effect kindness has! I'm glad you are one of the lucky ones who realize it.

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    1. I just hope I'm positively agitating the waters myself.

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  23. Oh, what a sweet, kind thing for them to do for you. I'll always remember this when I'm annoyed with people. Just lovely!

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    1. Please do! There really are fabulous people out there to be met.

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  24. What a wonderful story! This took me right back to the time when forty dollars was a fortune that could make or break my month!

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    1. I was home from college that summer, but trying to save every penny for books and such the following year. Thankful my finances are quite that tight anymore ;)

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