Just when I start to think all the world has gone to hades in a hand basket, a kind and honest stranger reminds me that good people still exist. And they shop at my favorite southern grocery store, Publix.
I’ll start by saying that I’m a firm believer in karma. So if I find a wallet or discarded ID somewhere, I turn it in. If a server returns too much change, I give it back. I open doors as often as possible, and offer help when someone looks like they could use an extra hand. In short: I try to always treat others the way I’d like to be treated. And I hold out a glimmer of hope that, should I be in a situation that requires an ethical decision from a stranger, they live by the same credo.
Lately, I’ve had a lot on my mind, which seems to have put me in some kind of faulty auto-pilot that makes me do ridiculous, flighty things I’d never ordinarily do. Like leave my handbag in the front of the cart at the grocery store. In the parking lot. Then drive away…
I did this for the first time (EVER) the weekend we moved the shop about four weeks ago. I took a break from unpacking to take a Staples trip to pick up a wireless router while the cable guy installed our network. I drove back to the shop and unloaded the car before I realized something important was missing. I rushed back to the store, but my MK clutch and its contents were never seen again. Fortunately, all they got away with was $60 in cash, a Wal-Mart wallet, my favorite lip gloss, and a few immediately-cancelled credit cards. It still felt terrible.
Today, we had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate our new location with the local Chamber of Commerce. My first stop was the grocery store to pick up refreshments (read: prosecco, beer, and cupcakes) and, while my body was in the grocery store taking care of this errand, my mind was three steps ahead in my to-do list. So after I loaded the car, drove across town, and arrived at my second stop, I realized I’d done it again. The second time in a month. Are you effing kidding me? But this time, I was carrying my beloved aqua leather Dooney & Bourke satchel — a very special gift from my mom — and it was filled with my brand new cell phone, our corporate card, my newly replaced driver’s license and debit card, and a handful important receipts, among other things. My heart dropped into my stomach, I started shaking like a leaf, and I cursed myself for being so irresponsible. {“How am I going to tell my husband that I did this again?“}
White knuckled, I drove like Cruella Deville back to the grocery store, jumped out of the car and quickly scanned the parking lot. An employee was collecting all of the carts and pushing them back into the store, but no sign of my bag. I recognized a store manager, approached her, and on the verge of tears managed to stammer out, “umm, has anyone turned in a blue leather handbag in the last five minutes?” I was prepared for the worst. Call the credit card companies again. Order another driver’s license. Pay through the nose for a cell phone. Never see my beautiful turquoise bag again.
But she smiled at me, and said, “Yes! The gentleman that was parked next to you turned it in. He’s a regular, and was really concerned when he gave it to us. He knew you’d be panicked when you realized it was missing!” When I followed her to the service desk and saw my bag on the counter, I could’ve cried. I’ve never had a more emotional reunion in my life. I may or may not have had a moment when I threw my arms in the air and exclaimed, “Thank you! This is why I love Publix!”
So dear kind stranger, thank you for respecting my possessions, and for doing the right thing and turning them in without hesitation. More importantly, thank you for giving me proof to support my strong-held belief that good people outnumber the bad ones. I promise to pay it forward.
I also promise to pay more attention to the whereabouts of my stuff at. all. times.
On a brighter note: Our ribbon cutting was a smashing success! More on that later :-)
What do you think?