Father, Forgive Him, For He Knew Not What He Did--That's Why I Let Him Know

A letter via fax to a very rude individual who called to yell at me for sending a fax to the wrong number on Friday Aug 8, 2008:

Dear Sir,
I am sending one more fax because I feel I need to explain something to you. I woke up this morning at 5:00 am in pain from the class 4 laceration I received giving birth to my son who is now 4 1/2 years old. The wound flares on occasion making it impossible to find sleep. After sitting on a heating pad, I finally found relief around 7:00-- just as my 17-month old was waking up. I had some important things to get done at the office, so I decided to go in early, taking my 17-month old with me. I, obviously, sent a few faxes, and took care of some paperwork. My 17-month old ran around and pulled some huge calenders off the desk in front of me. Moments later, he came around the corner of my desk and I noticed something dirt-like around his mouth. Upon further investigation, I realized he had eaten chewing tobacco someone had grotesquely spat into the garbage. I quickly finished my work and we left. On the way home, I stopped at a large community garage sale. My 17-month old was running around, so I put him in an infant exersaucer so that he could be entertained, but immobilized, thus allowing me time to look around. I decided to carry him in the exersaucer to where I was looking. To my horror, the piece I was holding broke and my baby landed on his head on the cement. My adrenaline surged, he screamed. He ended up with a bruise 3 inches in diameter.

Just after calming him down, I received a call from the intended recipient of the fax saying he did not yet receive it. I told him that I would go back to the office and resend it. My focus was on getting my baby home to care for his wounds, which is why I did not look at your fax to me informing me of the wrong number. I called the other agent while sending the fax a second time and confirmed the number-- only then realizing my error.

Sir, I am sending you this fax because I think that you should know it was YOUR rude phone call that sent me to tears today. I did not "burn up you toner" this morning to spite you. If it makes you feel any better, I'll gladly send you compensation for your loss. I admit, I made a mistake, a simple error. I AM SORRY.

You probably felt vindicated after you called me: "I told off that moron who can't get a fax # correct. . . how dare she waste my toner."

(As I was writing this my baby just threw up from eating the chew this morning.)

Sir, I am not looking for sympathy or an apology, but simply to spread a message that words are important, and a little act of kindness goes a long way.

Have a great day!