Christmas is a time of reflection on the people in your life who really make a difference. My friend Cheryl is one of those people. About 20 some years ago in Boulder Colorado, Cheryl met Mary through a mutual friend. Unbeknownst to either of them, they would become close and Cheryl, a caretaker of sorts. You see, Mary struggles with mental illness and a wide variety of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Cheryl is a cut and dry, direct friend who tells it like it is. Those sharp edges have been softened by the friendship of someone who truly depends on her in so many ways. After 10 years, the calls have become more frequent and the errands more critical in nature. Small things become big things and the little things count.
This was the case a couple of weeks ago when Mary took a cab to Wells Fargo (she used to walk, but now is suffering with gout) to deposit her check as she has done every Monday for years. This day was different...it was the beginning of the Christmas season and Wells Fargo "gives away" stuffed horses (Mary calls them ponies) to those customers who open specific checking or saving accounts. She was filled with anticipation because, as a courtesy to Mary, the Boulder branch had given her one every year regardless of the fact that she had not opened "another" account. She cherishes these ponies, giving them each names. Anticipating this wonderful gift, she approached the teller and was told that there was only a very limited supply this year and she would not be able to get one. Frustrated and alone, Mary walked into the front lobby, sat on the bench and cried...eventually leaving to go home. Cheryl received a call and was immediately worried. How would she get Mary a pony? Would she have to open an account?
Lucky for Cheryl, 5 days later Mary called with a message: Wells Fargo had phoned and asked Mary to come down to the bank for a surprise. Cheryl drove her to bank that Saturday and motioned for Mary to go in on her own. Wells Fargo had made things right! Not only did Mary get a pony, but someone at the bank had made a homemade Christmas card and they had arranged for Mary to get the XL version of the pony as well as a coloring book and calendar. Coming out of the bank, Cheryl says, "I have never seen Mary so happy!" She was absolutely thrilled and they even had a hard time fitting the ponies into the car. When they returned back to Cheryl's house, Mary posed with her new friends and all was well with the world. I was thrilled to hear the story and so happy that someone at the bank was thoughtful enough to make someone's day a little brighter...all with a stuffed pony.
Mary is a bright, happy person. The first time I met her I had just come from a workout and warned her that she may not want to get close. She stood up and hugged me on the spot, just flat out saying, "I don't care...I like hugs". Although discouraged at times, Cheryl has come alongside her friend to help. Why? Because she can see what it means to her...in every call and every hug... There's just something about Mary...
Thanks Wells Fargo!
Merry Christmas,
Coffeetalkmom
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