The Laundromat

I went to a laundromat yesterday. We are getting ready for a camping trip and I had a large load I wanted to wash so I decided to do one load in a big machine.

Off I went to drop off the load. On the way I was thinking how thankful I am for my own washer and dry at home. I remembered the very first washer and dryer we purchased back in the late 70’s and the feeling of such luxury; to be able to do laundry in my own home. I am grateful to this day for that convenience, and even more so after visiting the laundromat.

After placing the laundry in the machine and figuring out how much it would cost, I discovered I didn’t have enough change. I needed 50 cents more. I checked the change in the glove compartment of our car but it had been depleted recently. I tried the change machine in the laundromat and, of course, it didn’t work. I noticed washing machines take credit cards now so I tried my VISA but that didn’t work either…at this point I was frustrated…knowing it was my own fault for not bringing enough change. I was on my way to an appointment and didn’t have time to go get change elsewhere before the appointment.

There was a woman sitting on the other side of the room so I asked if she had change for a dollar. She said no, but she said she would give me two quarters. So I gathered all my dimes and nickels and pennies, which totaled 43 cents, and gave them to her in exchange. I thanked her profusely.

I started the washing machine and headed to my appointment, planning to return afterward to pick up my clean laundry and bring it home to dry in my own dryer.

After I drove away a thought suddenly came to me: why didn’t I give the woman my dollar for her two quarters? That would have been the better way. I was so focused on getting the correct change for the machine that I didn’t think beyond that problem. Of course she was gone when I returned to collect my laundry.

May God bless that kind woman in the laundromat; and may I remember the lesson learned.