Happy Earth Day? Or, Happy My Purse Didn't Get Stolen Day?

The family and I decided to go out to dinner tonight to celebrate Earth Day. No, not really to celebrate that...it was more like it was the only night in three weeks we did not have to take someone somewhere for some kind of activity/commitment. That seemed worth celebrating over some Mexican food...that and the buy one get one free coupon burning a hole in my Entertainment Book. But, speaking of Earth Day (let's go off road for a moment, okay?), I'm all about saving the planet, going green, peace out, Dude, but really? Americans will make up a holiday for everything....next month it's Air Day, then don't forget my personal favorite, Water Day.....ummmmm. yeah. I say this with total sincerity after receiving a beautiful flower arrangement from my co-workers for Administrative Professionals Day. Oh. My. Word. I feel guilty they sent me flowers for doing my JOB. Although, they were very pretty and smelled good, too.  I just feel bad when people are pressured by the greeting card industry to celebrate something that is not that big of a deal.

Okay, back to the story. We headed out to one of our family's favorite restaurants about 15 minutes from home. As we were nearing the restaurant, we noticed some people help push a car into a gas station. I commented that there are still nice people in the world. I see people being kind to other people often, much more so then people being rude. We come from a geographic area that is not really known for their friendliness but I was insisting to The Husband how many nice people I see showing kindness to strangers.

That's where I probably went wrong. My theory was going to be tested.

We had a lovely meal and I asked The Husband to pay the bill because my giant black "purse" was hanging awkwardly on my chair. I have a love/hate relationship with this monstrosity. It is my "winter purse" so it should already be packed away. You could easily fit a laptop (and, possibly even a desktop, monitor and keyboard) in it and just today when I turned around in a store I knocked something over. I whack people in the head while walking past them in movie theaters and in church and I'm always apologizing....it's almost like having a naughty child to deal with.

Therefore, the question is...... how could I have left the restaurant and driven all the way home only to realize I LEFT IT IN THE RESTAURANT???????

We need to pause for a brief intermission here...this is a long post tonight. Go use the bathroom, grab a drink and I'll wait.

Okay, time's up. I hate that sudden realization that something terrible has happened and so many thoughts hit you at one time you can't put a sentence together. Somehow, without actually using words, The Husband got out of the van and hurried the children inside where I know he would call the restaurant while I raced back over there. He left me his cell phone since mine was in the purse/suitcase at the restaurant where no one really spoke any English....Jesus, help me!! Within sixty seconds, I was peaceful and confident that no matter what the outcome, God would not be surprised and that He was watching over me and my purse. Therefore, I decided to do the speed limit.

The Husband had #1 shoot me a text five minutes down the road:   They have it.

I responded:   Whew.

Thank you, Lord. I looked down and then remembered that my gas tank was on "E" when we left the restaurant the first time and I figured I'd stop somewhere nearby in the morning. That plan wasn't going to really work for me now since I had no purse, which had all my money and credit cards in it. So, I prayed again.

Okay, God. Please don't let that car we saw earlier be a prophetic symbol for what I was about to experience. I ask that you supernaturally get me where I need to go.

I arrived at the restaurant (below empty on the gas tank thingy, I might add) and jogged inside. I was greeted right away by the same guy who sat us an hour earlier and explained I was here to get my purse, my husband called, blah, blah...he asked another person working, who asked another person working and they were all speaking Spanish and waving their arms around like "Huh?". The only thing I knew they were NOT saying was "the lady's purse is right here". Panicky feelings started to return, yet I was puzzled? What happened from the time The Husband called to the time I arrived? Did some kitchen helper grab it and was on his way to the casino with my Kohl's card and the $1.02 in change I had in my wallet? At some point, (it's kind of a blur), I pointed to where I was sitting and there my purse was, just where I left it. Oddly enough, all the people sitting at the tables were staring at me and trying not to laugh. An older couple approached me and said they waited for me to come back and they knew it would not be long since I would notice if something THAT BIG was missing (which mildly offended me that they insinuated my purse was size-challenged). I was touched when they explained that they stayed and watched it for me and would’ve turned it in had I not returned for a few hours. I thanked them and then felt the need to explain that my husband had called and the employee just said "Yup, it's here" and THEN LEFT IT AT THE TABLE. Oy ve.

It wasn't until I was driving to a neighboring gas station that I realized maybe I should've bought them a Choco Taco to thank them or at least gotten their address. I'm sure Hallmark has some kind of greeting card for the occasion...For the kindness you showed me in the Mexican Restaurant on Earth Day....I just wanted to say.....THANKS A BUNCH for not letting someone steal my purse. They did prove my point that there are nice people in our region.

In the event the ordeal wasn't already stressful, I had to pee the entire time. I only pumped about eight gallons of gas into the van and then headed home a happy woman with my purse/suitcase and a bladder the size of Lake Erie.