Slow Down Girl!

Have you ever had the scary experience of losing your wallet? You know that moment of sheer terror when you realize someone could be enjoying an all expenses trip to Chick fil- A on you? Someone could be buying that iPhone you've been eyeing up and would buy if you didn't have a mortgage, car payment or kids.

Well, I had that moment over the weekend. I had been shopping at one of those club stores with my youngest. I borrowed my mom's membership card so I could get a few things for our upcoming church social. The trip was a little disappointing from the beginning. I got what I needed no problem, but the offerings in the free sample department were lacking. There were only a handful of stations (a considerable decrease from the last time I was there) and really nothing new I wanted to try. Airplane cookies and a Teriyaki meatball weren't doin' it for me last Saturday.

We walked through the toy section and got a jump start on a Christmas list before going through the checkout. I was holding my wallet (which has a wrist strap) and had my membership card out as per protocol. Unfortunately, I did not bring a purse and my pants did not have pockets. This means I was also holding my keys and my phone and I was about to be holding my receipt so I could pass through the smiley face checkpoint. (You know the guy that stands near the door to make sure the items in your buggy match the items on your receipt and then draws a smiley face on your paper?)

Walking through the parking lot I was still holding the receipt. I knew I had to keep it separate since I needed it for the church secretary. I put it behind the sun visor in the van and proceeded to unload my cart. While unloading, my mind was racing with all the things I had to do next, so let's just say concentration was not my strong suit at that moment. I put the buggy back and we were on our way. Half way down the road I started looking around the passenger seat for my wallet. Middle console - also no wallet. I pulled over and did a complete van check - no wallet. I knew I had to go back to the store.

For some reason I remained relatively calm. I was trying to convince myself that this wasn't really happening and if it was really happening there was going to be a happy ending. I think I even may have offered this little prayer, "Please God fix this." For goodness sake, I had just bought a book of stamps so if for nothing else, I wanted my Disney villains back.

I first searched all the buggy drop offs. My mind was so scattered that I couldn't even remember where I had parked my van just ten minutes ago. Luckily, an employee, who was about to gather up the carts and take them inside, offered his assistance. He said this was the first time that day he was outside, so no carts had been returned to the store yet. When my wallet wasn't found outside he advised me to go inside. He said, "Maybe someone turned it in."

As I walked into the store my cell phone rang. It was my dad. "Where are you?" he said, "They have your wallet." An employee had called my family since the membership card with my mom's name on it was in the front pocket. Someone had in fact turned my wallet in. My dad told me to calm down, but I felt like I already had a good handle on that.

I went inside to retrieve my wallet and was very appreciative of the service I received. Everyone was so nice and happy for me to be getting my item back. I checked inside and everything, including my credit cards, stamps and lucky buck were still in place. Some good Samaritan took the time to take my wallet into the store so it could be safely retrieved. I don't know if I left it in my cart or dropped it on the ground but whatever happened - a kind, anonymous soul truly saved the day. He/she didn't know me or my circumstances but took the time to make a difference and for that I am humbled.

So you may be asking, why didn't I have a purse that day? First of all, I am not really a purse person. If you see me with a purse it is probably one my mom bought for me. Her philosophy - a woman never leaves a house without lipstick or a purse. I almost never follow that philosophy so I am a disgrace to the ladies of a more elegant generation. I once had a lovely purse, back when I was in high school. It was grey and was made out of tapestry fabric. It held my Hershey Kiss lip gloss and a small beaded bag for loose change. When someone took my purse one fateful day, I swore off purses for life. Nothing could ever replace that beautiful bag and I set myself up for a lifetime of lost keys and Chapstick tubes.

While the purse story did not have a happy ending, the wallet story did. This event was a red flag that I need to slow down a little and always carry a purse. Maybe a Coach bag is just what I need to get my life on track? Is there a script for that?

Rare photo of me carrying a purse