Last  week I found myself channeling Blanche DuBois. No, I was not dreaming about Marlon Brando. I was relying on the kindness of strangers.

On my way to Fayetteville  for a day of poetry workshops, I stopped at my favorite Thruway rest area for my morning coffee. I was in line at Starbucks, getting my money out ahead of time (I like to plan ahead)  when I reached in my purse and realized that my wallet wasn’t there. Just a few minutes earlier I had been in my car congratulaing myself on coming up with the perfect ending for my workshop. Now I was feeling like a complete idiot. I knew at once that the wallet must still be at home on the table next to the computer because I had been using my credit card to buy something online. I quickly got out of line and walked back to my car.

Now, I’m not so spoiled that I can’t forego my cup of Starbucks, but that was not my worst problem. I had no cash, no credit card, and no Driver’s License, and just enough gas to get me to Fayettville, but not enough to get me home. I had planned on filling up when I got there. I even left early to allow time at the gas station. Did I tell you that I like to plan ahead?

I quickly assessed my options:

1. Go back home and get the wallet. I’d have to drive ahead to the next Thruway exit, turn around and get back on the Thruway, go home and repeat. I’d be late for my classes.

2. Pray for a miracle. Isn’t it almost Channuka, and if God could stretch the Maccabees’ oil so that it lasted eight days, how hard would it be for Him to stretch my gas for another 60 miles?

3. Call my husband, get him out of bed, and ask him to bring my wallet to me.

4. Drive to Fayetteville and beg someone to give me cash to buy gas before I returned home.

I opted for #4, even though the people I was working with were practically strangers (I had only met them a few days ago) and many people don’t carry any cash around with them anyway. 

A nice teacher loaned me $15, all the cash she had in her purse, and I made it home safely, learning a lesson in humility and thanking God for the kindness of strangers. What are you thankful for on this Thanksgiving Eve?