Errand day…
went quite well with Levi at the wheel, and I made every effort to bite my tongue at those intense moments when, in the words of my son, “momma’s pushing the imaginary brake!”
We hit (not literally of course, praise God) the post office, the farmer’s market (to grab some organically-farmed and luscious homegrown tomatoes, green and yellow squash, Walla Walla onions and corn-on-the-cob mmm) and then I dashed into the Starbucks in the same parking lot for a grande iced vanilla latte - mmm - and, dashing back to my waiting almost-college-student :) in the car, I looked down at the ground to see a big fat black wallet and some change next to a beautiful white Lexus parked in the handicap zone. (I love details!) OK if I leave it sitting there, someone is gonna steal it. An anonymous wallet suddenly became my responsibility at the most inconvenient moment. I have things to do. Limited time to do them. No matter. Time to be flexible. OK, I gingerly picked up the wallet as if it had a disease, just in case the owner happened out at that very moment, eyeing me eyeing the wallet and assuming I was a thief. I had to look inside to find information (why did I feel guilty when I was only trying to help????) - driver’s license (photo revealed an aged hispanic woman named Gloria), $20.00 bill, change and lots of cards and papers. Phone number scrawled next to the woman’s name. I dialed the number (thank God for cell phones) and left a detailed message with my phone number. Then I made a mad dash into the businesses where Gloria my new best friend might be. She doesn’t look like the Starbuck’s type (is that profiling?) but she does look like the ‘beauty shop’ type - lots of grannies get their hair done on Fridays…no luck…next beauty shop…no luck…diner next door…no luck. OK I have to GO!
I ripped out a cardboard gum pack wrapper and wrote a note, placing it under the windshield wiper. “I found a wallet next to your car - if it’s yours please call me and I’ll return it 767-4241″. I took the wallet into Starbucks, gave it to the Assistant Manager to be sure it was safe and told her the owner would be coming for it.
Off to TJ Maxx. While waiting in line to return my items, I hear chattering, chattering, chattering. Three strangers had met while waiting and were enjoying their exchange of sudden friendship.
Just then Gloria phoned - I reminded her how much Jesus Loves Her! (I always think it may be why we connected, right?) and of course she was thrilled to know where to find her wallet.
OK back to the chatty-kathies. They were parting ways and saying their good-byes. Gracious Lady #1 “I have to run, but I wish all good things to come to you all day today!” (is that sort of like ‘I’m crossing my fingers for you!’?) Goofy Lady #2 to Clueless Lady #3 “Best of luck with your son!” Levi said it sounded sort of like, “and may the trees help you today!” The hopeless fables and fairytales so many in our nation cling to.
Tomorrow is another day. More adventures to come.