Wednesday, July 01, 2009

An Anniversary Miracle

Late yesterday afternoon, I was getting ready for my date with John. I was drying my hair and evidently didn't hear the doorbell ring, so Will came and told me that some lady was at the front door.

I quizzed him for a few seconds: Do you recognize her? Does it look like she's selling something? He shrugged and said he didn't know, so I walked to the front door and peeked thru the peephole. I usually don't answer the door if I don't know who the caller is, but something about this visitor compelled me to open it.

What I saw next brought me to tears.

This cute red-headed lady was standing there holding my purse that was stolen back in April. I could not believe my eyes!

She told me that her son had found it while walking home...behind a dumpster in a shopping center close to their house, partially hidden in some tall grass. He brought it home and showed it to her, and she called the police in our little town. The police told her they'd come retrieve it but after waiting several days for them to show up, she took matters into her own hands, looked up my address (my ID was still in my wallet) and delivered it to me.

OH. MY. GOSH.

How awesome is that? Doesn't it just restore your faith in the goodness of humanity?!?

She was so sweet while I stood there stunned and digging through it. She told me when her son found it, it was full of water. We've had a very wet couple of months (unusual) and I figured everything in it was ruined, but I was just so stinkin' happy to have it back that I didn't care.

She also told me that all the credit cards were gone (they've all been cancelled/reissued anyway) and I saw that my iPod was definitely gone too. However, my wallet was still in it and so were my coupons (yay!) and my zippies and my lipsticks and my nail file (the good one!) and my gloves and my house keys! (which aren't any good now that we've changed all the locks, but oh well!).

Unbelievable. 

I was so stunned that I forgot to even ask her name, or ask her to thank her son for me. I wish I had been a little more present in that moment. Nice, pretty, red-headed lady: If you happen to read this will you contact me so I can thank you and your son? 

Soon after she left, our babysitter arrived, so I just shoved it all in the dirty clothes basket and this morning I pulled it out and sorted through the mess. It was filthy and filled with all sorts of dirt and debris. See?



But...Vera Bradley bags are machine washable! So I took it downstairs, treated all the stains and determined it's salvageable. It's a little sunbleached in parts, but overall is still in amazing shape to have been sitting out in the snow, wind, rain, cold, heat, and intense sun of CO!

After washing (twice):
My zippies from Joanne are a little stained (I think from the granola-bar packaging) but I'm so happy to have them back...especially the monogrammed one. And even though I had to throw out all my coupons (they were wet and mildewed) I am thrilled to have my coupon file that-I've-had-for-15+ years back. Most of the stuff that was in my wallet was still intact too...so amazing!

The biggest surprise of all? Just before I threw the purse in the washing machine, I checked the inner pockets one more time. I was trying to get all the rocks/pebbles out, and lo and behold I found this!
I was very worried it was ruined because of all the moisture it had been exposed to, but guess what? I cleaned the grime off, put it in my camera, and discovered that all the pics I hadn't downloaded were still on it.

I cried again. Because it really was an anniversary miracle! 

I've had a thankful heart all day long! God really does care about the things that concern us...no matter how small or inconsequential they might seem. 


30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you wrote this story. I can't quit thinking about how sweet God is to care about the things that are special to us, like pictures of our loves and Vera Bradley purses. I don't believe it was an accident that this happened on your anniversary either. On a day when you were already thinking about love, God sent you a little love gift of His own.

Chloe m said...

Hi!
I am also a mountain Colorado girl!Not native though. Been here 10 years.
I am glad you got your purse back!You must have been very surprised.
Rosey

Amber said...

THAT IS SO AMAZING.

I remember the dreadful day in April when we grieved with you over the horrible purse incident, so to rejoice over its return is so great!!

Miracles still happen!!!! :)

OhioFamOf4 said...

What amazing news! God knew you should have answered the door today. Congratuations to you!

Kendra said...

I'm so glad for you! Kinda restores your faith in humanity, doesn't it?

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

UNBELIEVABLE!!! That is really, really awesome.

Michelle@Life with Three said...

No way!!! Wow, that is a miracle! I love that your camera card was in there, too. Praise the Lord! :)

Gretchen said...

This was sort of my God is always with us talk with my dtr today. I told her about the other purses, too, and how this whole thing, despite the loss of your money and iPod, was just laden with grace.

It's still just as cute as a button.

*carrie* said...

Love stories like that. I'm so happy for you, Mer!

Jacquie said...

I'm so glad you got some of the things that meant a LOT to you back. It's great that a teenage boy cared enough to try to get it back to the owner.

Have a great Holiday weekend!

Stephanie Kay said...

Definitely a miracle!!! And every time you see that person you'll be reminded of the miracle! Go God!!!

Michelle C said...

Oh Mer - I'm so thrilled for you!! What a great gift from God. I bet you could try calling the police to get her name and contact info since she had contacted them first. It so makes me think better of people -- especially teen boys. ;)

Jackie said...

Just amazing. I am over here almost crying with you - what a beautiful gift to you on a special day! Yep - He really does care!

Unknown said...

What a fantastic day!

I am thrilled that you were able to get back the things that were the most important to you!

Such a great post!

Carpool Queen said...

This makes me all sorts of happy on so many levels. I think I identify with the coupon book most of all. My beloved coupon book saw its final sale last year and I have YET to find one that just feels right. Throws me off.

Deidre said...

This is such a neat story! I love how God shows us He is concerned with every detail of our lives.

Maybe you can put an ad in the paper to find that lady and her son.

Happy (late) Anniversary!

Betsy said...

That is such a great story!! I'm so glad you got your purse back.

Nina Diane said...

wow....

Stephanie said...

Yea God! :) And what a wonderful anniversary surprise!

JenB said...

Oh goodness, that is SO crazy and just awesome!! God is good!

Elizabeth said...

This is the greatest story I've heard in a long time! It just makes me so happy for you. I remember that day it was stolen and how sad you (and all your friends) were.

Amber told me hi for you. Thanks for thinking of me! She is wonderful, and I told her that I have to meet you next. Maybe she and I can come for a visit:)

Unknown said...

That is awesome!! It's so wonderful when something happens to restore our faith in mankind...and that your pix were spared! WOW!! Hope you had an incredible anniversary!!

His Girl said...

Still lovin' this story... rejoicing with you, friend!!!
xxoxoxoxox

Lauren said...

That is soooooooooooooo incredibly awesome! God is sooooo good!! :)

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

I've been intending to write for a little while and tell you happy Anniversary and how happy I am for you that your purse was return! What wonderful people they were for taking the time to do that for a total stranger.
Just goes to show how much the Lord loves the details and nothing is too small for Him!

leigh said...

What a great story...except for the whole credit cards gone, etc....I'm so excited for you! And Happy Anniversary again.

Christi @ Writing the Waves said...

Awesome Meredith...can't believe it...especially about having the pictures back!!! :)

care-in said...

What a great story! I would have forgotten to ask her name too...I'm terrible at thinking on my feet.

Brenda said...

All I can says is WOW!...and Praise God...that IS a miracle!

Kecia said...

Wow. And yay for the memory card! God is good.