During July we were blessed with the trip of a lifetime: an Alaska cruise with Carolyn’s family. On the Monday after the cruise (during our five days in Seattle), we spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon at the Woodlawn Park Zoo. Snacks at the zoo were too pricey for our liking, so we spent the last 90 minutes “running on empty.” Our good friend Sue Meyer had previously pointed out the Lockspot Café at the entrance to the park which leads to the locks dividing Lake Union from Puget Sound. A big sign outside highlighted their specialty, Fish ‘n Chips. Perfect late lunch fare for a hungry family after a day at the zoo!
The Lockspot Café was everything we’d hoped for and more. Luke had Fish ‘n Chips, Carolyn ordered Clam Strips ‘n Chips, and I opted for Halibut ‘n Chips. Elyse, who is the only seafood-averse person in our family, went with the Bacon Cheeseburger. But even Elyse tried the fish and the clam strips and had to admit they were fabulous. I tried to trade a bite of mine for a bit of Luke’s but no dice. No leftovers for Luke either. It was good food, reasonably priced, with good service. Only later would we fully realize how good the service really was.
It was the morning of our flight back to MSP when we finally realized where Luke’s Alaska cap had been left. Yes, you’re way ahead of me. Yes, it had been left at the Lockspot three days earlier.
Gotta tell you about Luke’s cap.
Carolyn and I had given the kids an allowance for souvenirs. Totally discretionary spending for them. We’d done the same thing last summer, passing two envelopes (each filled with $35) back to Elyse and Luke in the back of the van to brighten up the long, flat, and sometimes (often?) boring trip across the middle of South Dakota on our way to the Black Hills. It was a hoot to see the contrast between Luke and Elyse. Elyse had spent almost everything after the first two or three days. But Luke—oh, my word, has the world ever seen such a careful, frugal spender?! He would agonize over every potential purchase, usually deciding, “No, not yet, not this, not now….” And on the Alaska Cruise, even with bigger allowances, Luke was just as careful this year. He looked at hundreds of tee-shirts and caps, always choosing to wait for a better deal or for something he liked better. We took a train ride along the “Trail of ’98” from Skagway to the Yukon border. Luke thought a long time about getting the cap they were offering on the train. But no, “not for fifteen bucks, Dad.” And then, back in town, he struck gold! This one wasn’t on sale for $12 or $10—not even for $5. Luke had found the perfect Alaska cap for two bucks!
So it was all the worse to discover the two-dollar cap had been left at the Lockspot Café. It was hopeless anyway, so I waited to make the obligatory phone call until after getting back home. It’s Friday or Saturday morning—nearly a full week after leaving this fairly unremarkable (but invaluable) Alaska cap at the Lockspot. A busy employee answered, listened to a briefer version of the story, and said, “Oh, I think I remember where we put that.” And then assured me she would send the cap and that I need not worry about sending her postage. I don’t remember her exact words, but it was something along these lines.
For eight-year-old boys from halfway across the country, we send lost Alaska caps back for free. Especially when it was the perfect Alaska cap. For only two bucks.
The Lockspot Café was everything we’d hoped for and more. Luke had Fish ‘n Chips, Carolyn ordered Clam Strips ‘n Chips, and I opted for Halibut ‘n Chips. Elyse, who is the only seafood-averse person in our family, went with the Bacon Cheeseburger. But even Elyse tried the fish and the clam strips and had to admit they were fabulous. I tried to trade a bite of mine for a bit of Luke’s but no dice. No leftovers for Luke either. It was good food, reasonably priced, with good service. Only later would we fully realize how good the service really was.
It was the morning of our flight back to MSP when we finally realized where Luke’s Alaska cap had been left. Yes, you’re way ahead of me. Yes, it had been left at the Lockspot three days earlier.
Gotta tell you about Luke’s cap.
Carolyn and I had given the kids an allowance for souvenirs. Totally discretionary spending for them. We’d done the same thing last summer, passing two envelopes (each filled with $35) back to Elyse and Luke in the back of the van to brighten up the long, flat, and sometimes (often?) boring trip across the middle of South Dakota on our way to the Black Hills. It was a hoot to see the contrast between Luke and Elyse. Elyse had spent almost everything after the first two or three days. But Luke—oh, my word, has the world ever seen such a careful, frugal spender?! He would agonize over every potential purchase, usually deciding, “No, not yet, not this, not now….” And on the Alaska Cruise, even with bigger allowances, Luke was just as careful this year. He looked at hundreds of tee-shirts and caps, always choosing to wait for a better deal or for something he liked better. We took a train ride along the “Trail of ’98” from Skagway to the Yukon border. Luke thought a long time about getting the cap they were offering on the train. But no, “not for fifteen bucks, Dad.” And then, back in town, he struck gold! This one wasn’t on sale for $12 or $10—not even for $5. Luke had found the perfect Alaska cap for two bucks!
So it was all the worse to discover the two-dollar cap had been left at the Lockspot Café. It was hopeless anyway, so I waited to make the obligatory phone call until after getting back home. It’s Friday or Saturday morning—nearly a full week after leaving this fairly unremarkable (but invaluable) Alaska cap at the Lockspot. A busy employee answered, listened to a briefer version of the story, and said, “Oh, I think I remember where we put that.” And then assured me she would send the cap and that I need not worry about sending her postage. I don’t remember her exact words, but it was something along these lines.
For eight-year-old boys from halfway across the country, we send lost Alaska caps back for free. Especially when it was the perfect Alaska cap. For only two bucks.
As the silent leaven works its secret way,
Or as grows the seed grain through the night and day;
Lord, so be the increase peaceable but sure,
Of thy word within us, and thy kingdom’s power.
(Norman Elliott, 1951)The growth of the kingdom of heaven—the reign of God’s peace—is most often hidden from our view. Grace comes into our lives from the most unexpected places. Grace happens when, through a miracle, ordinary folk “…offer all that faith can do… while love is making all things new” (B. Wren).
Strangers are sometimes angels. And angels are sometimes waitressing at our favorite place for Fish ‘n Chips in Seattle.
