Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Faith in Humanity Fully Restored!

We received a thank you note along with a check with a bonus from the husband of the woman who hit my car last week. It was very touching. They live in Illinois and apparently, she is currently out here visiting while her husband is home. Michael had phoned her husband just after the incident and then again a couple of days later to let him know how much the tail light assembly cost. His cost. He had also mentioned in the first phone call that both of us are from Illinois.

The man was so touched when Michael told him that he would replace the unit at no charge. Total cost? $159.00. We received a check for $170.00 and the following note on a Thank You card design by the husband:

Enclosed is a check for 170.00, of which 159.00 is for the tail light assembly. The little extra is for all of you for your grief (I know how I would have felt - a good cocktail would have been needed).

They say no good deed goes unpunished - (i.e. me taking responsibility for my debt to you), but in your case, your graciousness in the matter, and keeping things simple, was a good deed in return, for which I am quite appreciative.

I hope all goes well with the replacing the assembly.

How sweet is that? Michael replaced the assembly and put a little gas in my car with the extra money.

Last night, we had a birthday dinner for British Don at our favorite restaurant, Chez Papa. It was PACKED for a Monday night. We met the owners there, they loved the presents we had brought with us and we enjoyed a specular dinner. It began with the table flooded with appetizers: Kobe Beef Tartar, Mushroom Tart, something that was made with a loose goat cheese and mushrooms, Beet Salad, the most amazing Ravioli. They also made the best olive tapenade I have ever eaten along with bread. Ah, the bread.

Michael and I negotiated what we would order before we arrived: Hanger steak. Split. Perfect portion. Did I mention dessert? Lavender Cream Brulee, Molten Lava Chocolate Cake, Panna Cotta. Everyone tasted every one!

We arrived home at 12:30AM. Early-to-bed us! We were snoring within moments of crawling under the covers. It was a fun night and we have been invited to the home of the owners in two weeks for a Vietnamese dinner. It should be spectacular!

It is a long story but during the short drive to Don's house, he quietly mentioned that neither his step-children nor his daughter contacted him for his birthday. No text. No Facebook. No phone call. No card. Nothing. I am so happy that we were with him. We feel like family. He and Michael have grown very close, so close in fact, he has named Michael as the executor of his estate. It was a rather sad ending to very nice, sweet, fun birthday celebration for a wonderful guy.

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