I’m back today with part 2 of the story of my missing bag, and I’m so excited and thankful to be able to share the GREAT NEWS with you guys!
| Me and my bag before its adventure on the train |
If you missed the background story, you can read Wednesday’s post {here} for the details. I updated everyone who follows us on Facebook yesterday afternoon (you can see that post {here}, or I’ll copy it below).
GUYS–STOP THE PRESSES!! I HAVE GREAT NEWS!!!!
If you read yesterday’s post, then you know that I left my carry on bag on the train from Penn Station in Manhattan to the Newark Airport on Saturday. We won’t rehash how stupid that was, because trust me, I know!
Yesterday afternoon, I called to do my daily check on my lost item case and they told me they had a likely match at the Penn Station office. I was afraid to hope that it was *really* my bag, but as my friend Operator #32 told me, “Ma’am, I can’t imagine there are that many red Longchamp bags with laptops and makeup in them that come in on a daily basis.” I tried to call the number there for HOURS (76 times, to be exact), and it rolled to voice mail every time. Yes, I left a voice mail; no, no one called me back. I get it–they’re busy because people leave tens of thousands of items on their trains every year. But since most people leave wallets, or glasses, or scarves, but not bags full of approximately $5000 of stuff, like I did (go big or go home, right?) I decided that waiting for a call back was not going to help me sleep at night. And please believe me when I tell you that I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since Saturday!
So, today I hopped on a plane to New York, visited my long distance friends at NJ Transit’s Lost and Found, and wept on a very nice and slightly embarrassed transit worker’s shoulder when she handed me my bag. NOT ONE SINGLE THING IS MISSING–I got it all back!! My laptop, my jewelry (even those precious, precious pieces that belonged to my mom), even my hairbrush; they are all back in my possession and there has never been a more grateful person on the face of this earth.
Those of you who sent me lovely comments and prayers yesterday–thank you. I boo-hooed every time I read one because I’ve just been so mad at myself and not one of you berated me for being stupid; instead you told me your stories of times you messed up, too. (This is also where I should mention that my husband never doubted that it would be turned in. Let me put this in all caps for him: YOU WERE RIGHT, HONEY. You should frame this.).
Because I was raised right, I did ask if they could tell me who had turned it in so I could send them a proper thank you, but they don’t keep a record of that. I don’t know if it was a conductor, or a passenger, but since clearly God had a hand in my bag coming back to me, I will trust that He will also let that person know how deeply I appreciate his or her honesty.
A few final thoughts: my plane ticket was less than my insurance deductible and almost exactly what I would have paid to ship a 20 pound package insured at $5000 with a lithium battery in it from NYC to NC, so I consider that an absolute bargain, don’t you? Also, I know not one of you will judge me for drinking at 3:30pm. Last but not least, the Delta Club at Newark airport is my new favorite vacation destination; next time I may bypass Manhattan altogether and just check in here for three days. My bag and I are snuggling, happily together again.
Thank you again, friends! XO, Christy
Can you even believe it? I know I’m still in shock that after that many days, and being in the hands of so many people, every last thing is safe.
This is how I carried my bag on the train back to the airport (and honestly, how I usually carry a bag on public transportation–touching it at all times):
I wound up back at the airport around 3:30pm and my flight wasn’t until 8pm; I was on Delta so there wasn’t anything that would get me home earlier. Then I remembered that because we have the American Express Platinum card, I could get into the Delta Sky Club, aka a little slice of heaven on earth! (Random: you should absolutely check out the Platinum card; there are so many perks–like the clubs–that make traveling easier, and if you’re military they waive the annual fee. Email me or comment if you want a referral link for bonus points!).
I haven’t slept much these past nights so curling up in a chair with a glass of wine almost did me in…but it was heavenly.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers, comments, texts, and messages. I still can’t quite believe it, but I am so very, very, very thankful.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sources:
Le Pliage Weekender Tote (I will say that it still looks like new after what was undoubtedly an interesting adventure, and it holds a ton!)
