To the editor:

Last Monday, Feb. 25, I was reminded yet again why I love living on Whidbey Island.

Briefly, I scurried into Ace Hardware in Freeland on Sunday evening a few minutes before closing to pick up some primroses. It was dark and raining as I hurried to my car.

After putting the primroses in my car, I sprinted back across the parking lot to return my shopping cart. Monday morning a frantic search for my missing purse was interrupted by a call from a clerk at Ace telling me that someone had just returned my purse. I had left it in the shopping cart which remained outside overnight!

As I drove to retrieve my purse, thoughts of canceling credit cards, changing my checking account etc. ran through my mind. To my amazement, and delight, my purse was returned to me with all my cards, checkbook and more than $50 in cash! To the person who returned my purse, my thanks for renewing my faith in people and reminding me again how fortunate we are to live in this special place, Whidbey Island.

LINDA RUSSELL

Freeland