Because I tend to drive around a lot - weather permitting - my friends and family out here in Jersey tend to tell me about things that they're looking for. Usually, it's a book that they'd like to read and, since I hit a lot of library book sales, I've been pretty lucky at finding what they're after. I don't go out of my way for these things, but I do keep my eyes out.
Recently, a family member mentioned that she was looking for one of those plastic things that you can put into a refrigerator that holds soda cans. I know, you can argue that the way soda cans are packaged in 12 packs nowadays that this isn't necessary. Still, that's what she wanted.
During the week I had to go to Wal-Mart to pick up some meds so I looked around. They didn't have one. Over the next few days I also stopped at Target, Kmart, Sears, Boscov's, and several other Big Box stores - no luck. (There was something that two of these stores carried, but I knew it wasn't what my friend wanted and, besides, it was kinda expensive.)
Yesterday, I was at the thrift store that I frequent in South Plainfield. I usually go there for clothes but they do have a side room where they have furniture, books, housewares, etc. I was actually looking through the books for something by an author named DeMille but they didn't have any. On a whim, I walked through the other rows of shelves. Two rows over, I found the exact soda can holder that my friend was looking for and it was less then $2.00.
It's a good feeling to do something for a friend.
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I didn't have a lot of time after I got home. My daughter was going to pick me up around 1:30 and we were going into New York to decorate a reserved room in a restaurant for her grandmother's 80th Birthday party. I went into my bedroom to change, and realized that my St. Jude medal had, somehow, broken off my chain.
I've worn one for over 30 years and, of course, I've had to replace them from time to time. But this is the first time that I couldn't find the one that went missing.
There was nothing I could do right then. I had to get ready for the party. Everyone had a great time.
[Now, you have to understand something. People put a lot of faith into certain things. Over the years - specifically, the last 5 or 6 - I've come to consider the St. Jude medal as sort of a good luck piece. You see, Jude was my Confirmation name, chosen because he was a cousin of Jesus. It wasn't until later that I found out that he was the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes. I kinda get a kick out of that.]
I spent a lot of time last night on-line trying to find where I could get a replacement locally. Normally, I would agree to wait a day or two but I was due for a follow-up with the oncologist about the carcinoma he removed two weeks ago. I really wanted to get a replacement right away. Frankly, there aren't too many places you can find something like this and most of them are closed on Sunday. Still, I was gonna give it a try.
When I went out to my car this morning, Doyle was standing there.
"Hey, Denny, how's it goin'?" A big grin on his face.
We shook hands.
"Doyle, my God, I haven't seen you since ... I don't know ... before the holidays, I think?"
he looked embarrassed. "Uh .. Yeah .. Sorry about that. Been meaning to stop by and see how you were doin' but ... well ..... you know ... there's been stuff goin' on and the bad weather and all. And we've been stretched pretty thin. .... Sorry about that."
I almost laughed. I really was happy to see him.
"No problems. It's good to see you. How've you been? What's been going on?'
He lightened up. "Thanks, Denny. We're dealing with a lot of crap now - all over - but Mr. Jones insists that we keep people on the Gordon thing so I've been stuck at a desk ... well .. two desks actually. One in Trenton and one down in Harrisburg. just trying to maintain some kind of control."
"Why Harrisburg ?"
he paused, and stretched his neck. "Because Gordon's been very active over the last few months, mostly in South Jersey and Pennsylvania. Somehow, he's been able to move freely through the areas hard hit by the snow storms and we haven't been able to get anywhere near him. When we focus on a particular area because we think he's concentrating there, he pops up somewhere else. ..... It's been very frustrating." He shook his head, and slumped a little.
I didn't know what to say, so I just waited.
He straightened up, kinda shook himself, and smiled.
"Anyway, you know we still keep tabs on you, don't ya Denny?"
"Of course I do, Doyle." I smiled.
He took something out of his pocket.
"Well, one of the things we "heard" was that you'd like one of these. Gotta go now, but I will be in touch, Den. And soon, I promise. Do me a favor and don't open this until I leave."
He handed me a small box. Then he got into his car and drove away. I opened the box.
Inside it was a St. Jude medal. I wasn't sure that I liked the idea that he knew what I wanted, but I understood the gesture.
It's something that friends do.
