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 seeing no sign of her return, I took the bag to the lost and found. I didn’t look inside—just left it there and went back to my duties.
A month later, the bag was still unclaimed. My manager casually said, “It’s been a month. Do you want it?” After some thought, I agreed. When I finally opened it, I was shocked to find it completely empty except for a single piece of paper.
It was a receipt with a handwritten note: “To the girl who needed a new purse during the holidays.” I checked the receipt and saw the bag had cost $1,700. It was clear the woman had left it intentionally as a gift for someone in need.
I kept the discovery to myself, moved my things into the bag, and took it home. That purse became a symbol of hope and confidence for me during a challenging time. It helped me feel more polished and prepared, especially during job interviews.
I still have the bag today. It’s a treasured reminder of the kindness of a stranger and the impact it had on my life. It motivates me to pay it forward and spread kindness whenever I can. That small act of generosity didn’t just change my holidays—it changed my outlook on life.
