The Personal Touch

A few weeks ago on Mid-Morning, we did a show on the topic of moving. One of our guests, Susan Miller, is the president of Just Moved Ministries - and she spends her time with women who have moved to a new town and are emotionally struggling to start over and fit in.

When Susan and I spoke on the phone prior to the interview, I shared with her that I'm working on moving...but not so far away that it feels like it would be as major an adjustment. Susan said to me, "Very true, but you still have to find a new salon and grocery store and all those little things you don't even think about."

Huh. Hadn't thought of that. (And after trying IN VAIN to find a Kind Bar in the Kroger by Lynne's house last week, I sort of get the pain of finding my way around a new grocery store!) It's true, though. I need to learn new places.

And one of those places: a car shop.

I won't lie. I'm the girl whose dad still took her car to his mechanic when something was dreadfully wrong.

But last winter, when I stayed in Fort Wayne during the week of SHARE, my car began to make noises that no vehicle (or dying cat) should ever make. The fine folks at work recommended a car shop near the station, and seeing no alternative, I called to make an appointment.

The problem was - I couldn't leave work that day because of the fundraising. They came and got my car, fixed it, brought it back to me at work, and I was safe for my drive that night because of their prompt work and kindness.

And then a few days later, I got a handwritten thank you note from the shop, thanking me for my business.

And I was impressed. I'd never gotten a handwritten thank you note from a business before.

So this week, when I needed some more work done on the car, I called them first. And I even told them they'd won me over as a new customer because of the thank you note and the extra miles they went to help me in a tough spot.

We don't see a lot of personal touches in life in general anymore. (Or at least I don't.) And I'm as guilty of that as anyone else. But I love to be the recipient of them...so I need to work on the effort of giving them, too!