Wednesday, January 9, 2008

So 2007 was the year of the returned wallet. Judging from our mail, you couldn't lose one in this town without having it returned. So far, it looks as though the 2008 mail will be full of stories about strangers who offer cash advances to people caught short. If you've got such a tale, get it in fast because we'll only run so many, and no more.

Five days before Christmas, in line at the Cabin John post office. Can't seem to get it together this holiday season and am behind in every way. Toddler in car sleeping, visiting parents in car waiting.

Finally, my turn: $80 to mail a box and buy stamps. Problem: The magnetic strip on my debit card has been acting up, and my bank is running behind in replacing the card. It doesn't work, and the postal employee can't manually enter the number.

No problem. I actually have my checkbook, so I will just write a check.

Except I just moved to Bethesda and my new Maryland driver's license doesn't match the old District address on the check. No go, no flexibility -- they won't take the check.

Feet tapping behind me. What's it gonna be, lady . . . we don't have all day! Just when I resigned myself to stepping out of line to borrow money from my parents so that I could get back in line and wait an additional 30 minutes, the voice of an angel said, "I'll pay your postage; just write me a check."

Huh? Did I hear that correctly?

"Sure," she said. "You aren't going to rip me off. After all, you didn't ask me; I offered."

And then she handed the clerk four crisp $20 bills -- transaction completed. Next! So I wrote this stranger a check and said, "I am going to write to that column in The Post where people share their stories of how generous strangers can be."

She said it wasn't necessary, but I disagree. It was the nicest random act I had experienced in a long time. It made the holiday season for me. Thanks, Tara!

-- Sue Hendrickson, Bethesda