sonia | Rewarded

An elderly folk dancer, who occasionally gives me a ride home from the Sunday group, left her purse at a group I don't attend on Friday mornings. I know about this because, after waiting around for a couple of hours on this side of town trying to connect with her, the Friday morning group organizer brought the purse over to my house, figuring the owner could retrieve it easily from me.

The purse owner called me a little later because she thought I might have phone numbers for the Friday morning group organizers. She was delighted and relieved to hear I had her purse and came by to retrieve it. She had been without house keys, phone, money, driver's license, etc. for hours, camping out at a friend's house trying to figure out what to do. (This is a good reason to keep house & car keys on the same ring, in my opinion!)

I was glad to be able to help and really didn't do much, other than be home to answer the phone and be known as a community connector.

Last night, the purse owner brought me a box of See's chocolate mints and a written thank-you note. I said I'd have to pass it on to the organizer, who spent much more effort on the affair, and she said she'd gotten candy for her, too, and for the two people who had given her sanctuary while she was stranded.

I haven't yet found a phrase to replace "class act" (suggestions welcome), and that's the phrase that came to mind. This woman is a class act. More than 85 years old, still dancing multiple times a week, still driving herself around town, and brings candy to people who help her. "Gracious," that's one good replacement phrase.

My body doesn't react that well to sugar, but the box lists common allergens and gluten isn't on the list, so I've been eating the mints. They're delicious!