One day while working at a fast-food restaurant, I noticed a woman had left her Louis Vuitton purse on a table. After waiting for twenty minutes and realizing she wouldn’t be returning, I decided to take the bag to the lost and found, not bothering to look inside.
The bag sat unclaimed for an entire month. One day, my manager casually mentioned, “Hey, it’s been a month…Do you want that bag?” After a bit of thought, I said “yes,” intrigued to see what was inside. When I finally opened it, I was shocked to find it was empty except for a single piece of paper.
The note, written by hand on a receipt, read: “To the girl who needed a new purse during the holidays.” Upon further inspection, I saw the bag had cost $1,700. It dawned on me that the woman must have left the bag intentionally, planning a random act of kindness for someone in need.
I didn’t tell anyone about the discovery, but as I carefully packed my things and headed home, the purse began to symbolize more than just a luxury item. It gave me confidence during difficult times and helped me look more polished for job interviews.
The bag is still with me today, and it remains a precious reminder of my tougher days. It also inspires me to pay it forward by helping others whenever I can. The anonymous gift not only brightened my holidays but also showed me the profound impact even a small act of kindness can have on someone’s life.