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Thanks, Kaitlyn Parker!
It was a simple act of kindness but it sure made a difference in a few people's lives. There I was today, standing at the counter in a local Stewart's Shops, waiting to order an orange-pineapple double scoop ice cream cone to officially kick off the summer season. After all, the temperature had just hit 80, and I thought that would be a deserving lunchtime treat.
To my left I couldn't help notice a beautiful girl with curly blonde hair. She was about 22 years old, looked like a model and was nicely dressed in a flowing brown skirt and matching top. I was in no hurry to get my cone. Maybe a college girl, I thought. Or, maybe on her way to a job interview. She was waiting to pay for a pack of gum and a candy bar.
I turned to my left to casually peruse the store while stealing more looks at this beauty by my side. Another young girl approached me. She was holding some money in her extended right hand. I saw a $20 bill on top of a folded pile of money. This girl was also very pretty, I might add, and I recognized her as Kaitlyn Parker, former standout athlete and student at Plattsburgh High School. She has probably graduated from high school by now, but I'm not certain. You kind of lose track of years at my age.
Kaitlyn looked at me, perhaps recognizing me as a former teacher at Stafford Middle School, and said, "Did anyone drop this?" I looked at the nice pile of money. I felt in my right front pocket, my money pocket, and I knew it wasn't mine. The extended hand with money caught other customers' attention.
The beautiful blonde turned and said, "Oh, it's mine!" I pointed and said, "Oh, it's hers!" I've always been a pretty honest guy. I acted as intermediary and took the money from Kaitlyn. I couldn't resist looking at the entire stack of legal tender (the money, I mean), which added up to $120. I passed the money to the beautiful blonde who explained that it had dropped from her skirt pocket. I don't think skirt pockets were meant to hold $120 in cash.
But, without a doubt, the star of the show is Kaitlyn Parker. I hope I spelled her name correctly. Being a young girl I'm sure she could use $120 -- but she was too honest to secret it away into her jeans pocket. By the way, jeans pockets were meant to hold $120.
This $120 might have been the beautiful blonde's rent money or car insurance money or money she had worked all week to earn. I'm sure she appreciated Kaitlyn's act of kindness. I know I did. Heck, I wanted to reach in my own pocket and give her at least a $20 reward. And maybe I should have, but I'm on a fixed income these days!
And imagine all the bystanders who saw Kaitlyn hand over the $120 found money. Some of them might even call Kaitlyn names for being so honest. They'll be talking about that girl in Stewart's who gave away all that money instead of just picking it up and putting it in her pocket.
I always liked Kaitlyn Parker. She always seemed like a nice person when I knew her back when she was 12 years old at SMS. I always liked how she played her high school sports -- with intensity and class. Today she gave me another even better reason for liking her!
Tomorrow maybe you'll find me over at that same Stewart's -- seeing if anybody else drops money on the floor or if any blondes come in for a pack of gum and a candy bar.
Comments
Foxy, I believe they call it "pay it forward". Thanks for a great story. Angel
Posted by: Angel | May 11, 2007 11:33 AM
Foxy, Thank God for honest people and Good Deeds! Kaitlen went above and beyond what most people would have done. At a time when it seems all we hear are negatives and derogatory things about the younger generation, her act certainly shows that we have nothing to worry about after all. Thank you Kaitlen for reinforcing our faith! AND Foxy, what a nice guy YOU are to be the "go between" for the lost money. I'm sure that had nothing to do with stealing a few more glances at the cute blonde!!!
Not only do good deeds not go unrewarded, but bad deeds do too. Seems the old adage "'What goes around, comes around" is quite accurate. I've been on the receiving end of both the good and bad.
By the way, Miney is quite the good guy himself as you may already know. He's been to hell and back with his own issues and still goes above and beyond for his little girl Page. I commend you Miney for being the Dad that any little girl would be proud to love!
Posted by: Woody | May 10, 2007 9:23 AM
Nice to see good ole Kate Parker finally giving back ..... after all the base hits she robbed from her CVAC opponents while playing 2nd Base for the Hornets during their 3 yr sectional run a few years back! Great kid,,,Great player!!! way to go Kate!
Posted by: the carver | May 10, 2007 8:46 AM
Miss D. i dont know if I know you but the helicopter story is true . However, I didn't fall on my head. There's a long story about that particular incident. I have to assure you that after that adventure , i had a long battle with hemorrhoids.
I have been told that affected my brain and its approximate location to my brain.
Posted by: skip zatonski | May 9, 2007 6:31 PM
Foxy, thank you for being the Teacher you have always put your heart and soul into being. Sharing such a beautiful story about such a beautiful person - Ms. Parker. I was in Old Saybrook CT & Narragansett RI this past weekend with my buds Stan & Woody. Stan was telling me a similar story about a nice thing he did for someone and he said, I believe those kind acts get repaid. Sure enough, he won the shared drawing @ the Little League game - $45 in his pocket - yes, God does repay us for kind acts - see there you won the drawing! Stan has alway been a good Man. Woody too - he took a tough situation & looked out for the best for his girls - at a price, but he displayed what a good Dad does. Well, but yeah - we may have seen some beautiful women this weekend too - Stan's always looking out for his buds you know.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | May 9, 2007 3:11 PM
The life you live Foxy.....
(Foxy's note: Yes, Mark T ... you are right! Somehow, something always seems to happen when I'm around!)
Posted by: Mark T | May 8, 2007 10:56 PM
I believe that a random act of kindness or honesty pays back ten-fold. The young lady who was given back her money (I lost track of who was blonde and who wasn't) will very likely return the kindness and more people than we will ever know will benefit.
A new person has been added to my list of North-Country Characters. I was reading Letters to the Editor the other day, and there was a letter about how the HO HO HO will have to be taken out of Christmas greetings.....I knew who wrote it without even looking at the name!! I don't know what that means or if it's good or bad, but I think it's hilarious. I don't know the author very well, but I know his style. Without mentioning any names (SKIP), I was sharing this story with a mutual friend who heard rumor that one time, while slipping and falling out of a helicopter, you may have hit the water head first, thus contributing to the traits that help put you on my list of "characters!" I may not agree with you, but you made me smile!
One more thing (you can tell I haven't written a lot lately), have you looked at the labels on your clothing lately and noticed that nothing we wear is made in the U.S.? I cannot even pronounce the name of some of the countries that manufacture our clothing, but it's not the good old U.S. of A.
Oh well, everyone have a great week and enjoy the sunshine!
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from miss d!)
Posted by: miss d | May 8, 2007 9:47 PM