Lost the Prize but Came Out Winner

Around noon a few Fridays ago, radio station KNX held its sweepstake drawing. The grand prize was a Mercedes-Benz. My name was selected and announced on the air along with my phone number. I had 30 minutes to call in and claim my prize. I was out shopping.

When I arrived home my answering machine was flashing wildly. I pressed the play button. One after another, complete strangers introduced themselves, explained that they were KNX listeners and urged me to call the radio station as soon as I could. They gave me the station phone number. They wished me luck.

One young girl, Pamela, pulled off the freeway to call me. How truly wonderful people are. Their names hadn’t been selected. They didn’t know me. They just wanted me to win.

I thank them all.

I phoned KNX, but I was too late. The prize had gone to another. I didn’t win the Mercedes-Benz, but those strangers sure made me feel like a winner. What a grand prize.

ODETTE DERRYBERRY

South Laguna