Typewriter Lost and Found

NOTE: In February, Leroy and I will go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City with Fr. Tom, Deacon Eric and other All Saints University Parish parishioners. We are truly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the experience. Please keep us in your prayers, as you will be in ours. If you have any particular prayer intentions, message us, and we’ll carry them with us on this journey.

If you’ve known me for a while, you know we moved quite a bit after leaving the dairy in 2010. At one point, we had moved five times in six years. Fortunately, we have settled and have been in the same house for the last nine years. One of the side effects of moving so frequently was the dramatic decrease in possessions. This was probably the best part of the experience for me, but there is one possession I gave away that I have always regretted: my typewriter.

The typewriter and I spent hours and hours together, and it became a trusted friend to a nerdy girl like me. However, typewriters were no longer necessary with the more common use of computers and word processors. I had not used mine for several years, so I gave it away.

For the last several years, I have lamented that I don’t have (or have access to) a typewriter. Last spring, I purchased an antique manual typewriter. It’s awesome and functions well, but it is not practical for a lot of typing. It’s more of an art piece in my office. I wanted an electric typewriter, preferably with auto-correct.

This past Christmas, I was discussing “stuff” with my brother. I am not very sentimental, and certainly not about possessions, but I did state that I regretted giving my typewriter away. My niece was nearby, heard our conversation, and asked if I wanted it back. She remembered that I gave her a typewriter several years ago. It was currently stored in a closet in her classroom. I’m pretty sure I squealed in delight. Was it too good to be true?

I had to wait a few weeks, as my niece was on Christmas break and would not return to her classroom until after the first of the year. I counted the days and finally heard from her. She brought it home for me. I asked for a photo and initially didn’t recognize it. Leroy didn’t either until he picked it up and remembered the machine. As soon as I saw it in person, I knew it was the one!

I actually cried. And then I thought of this scriptural passage:

“What woman with ten coins would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me; I have found the coin I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God.” — Luke 15:8-10

Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I am not comparing a typewriter to the Kingdom of God, but I can relate to the rejoicing and wanting to share the joy with everyone around me. (I could also use the story of The Prodigal Son. If I had access to a fatted calf, we would have slaughtered it that night.)

After I collected myself, I inserted a piece of paper and began to type. Initially, it didn’t work, but once the ribbon advanced, the letters appeared on the page. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. First, I typed a thank you to my kind niece for her generosity. (I have named the machine Bethany in her honor.) Next, I hopped on the internet and ordered replacement ribbons.

This would not be a big deal for many people, but it was the answer to a (simple) prayer for me. Considering the circumstances of the typewriter’s return, God obviously wanted me to have it back. It was not a coincidence that the discussion came up at Christmas and that my niece remembered having the machine. Now we know she was storing it for me for the last thirteen years. I won’t forget the lesson of this experience; the things that are meant to be in our lives will come to us. (Or, in my case, return to us.)