MISSION: Great Kindness in Gunnison, Colorado

This mission? Well, let’s just say it left me grinning ear-to-ear, big time.  Plus, the operative’s narrative was pretty funny. {And her pictures–all 17 of them–are AWESOME.}

I think I might like to visit Gunnison, Colorado someday and hang out with Affiliated Agent L.  Anyone wanna join me?

DATE:
Thursday, 10 March 2011
and
Friday, 11 March 11

OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent L

LOCATION:
all over Gunnison, Colorado

TIME:
various

First of all, my cover was blown before I even got started! I was only checking out your Secret Agent L Facebook page and my husband walked by and said, “Secret Agent L?” My first name also starts with L and so he thinking it’s me and has been signing (to the tune of Secret Agent Man) “Secret Aaaagent L… With her seeeecret plans!” Anyways, so I’ve been trying to convince him ever since that I’m not Secret Agent L, which is the truth because I am Secret Affiliated Agent L! Ha!

So my first task was to find a super fun cheap gift. I went browsing on the Internet and found the website www.live-inspired.com and I’m so glad I did because they have the cutest feel-good gifts, with a $5-and-under section to boot! So I ordered 7 inspirational notebooks at $2.95 each. I marked my mission day for Thursday, because that’s when the notebooks were supposed to arrive. I had four days.

The next day I got started on my notes and envelopes. I decided to use crayons because crayons make everybody happy. I made one original letter and 6 copies and you can’t even tell. Lot’s of color, exclamation points and LOVE!!

Mission day finally arrived and the UPS man usually comes at around 2. He was late and so while I waited I rummaged around my house for other things I could slip into the envelopes with the note cards. Oooh! A box of motivational cards by Louise Hay! Perfect! I picked out seven cards that had general “feel good” messages. Gotta love Louise!

Then I found that I had exactly seven packets of Pez candies! Nice and colorful to match my color theme and who doesn’t love Pez?

Finally my notebooks came and they were cuter and nicer than I expected for only $2.95. There were lots of others to choose from than the 4 different styles I got, so I’ll definitely go back for more. I love the positive messages and cute designs.

So I slipped in the note books, sealed ‘em up and headed out to downtown Gunnison, a chilly little college town on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies.

We’re a town with a big heart full of lots of do-gooding people, so I can’t wait to drop off my little gifts of JOY for seven lucky Gunnison citizens! It was very exciting to think about where to place them, not getting caught (especially knowing I’d have to take a picture!) and who was going to find them. The most fun I’ve had all week!

I decided not to plan my drop off locations and just enjoy walking around town and see what caught my attention. So my first stop was the Gunnison Library (3/10 3:30pm). I walked around feeling paranoid, like everyone knew I was up to something! My heart was racing as I placed it on the audio book shelf and took a picture. Then my heart sang with glee as I walked away and left the building…. Mission Accomplished! What a fun feeling! Who will find it? What will they think?

Then I walked by a consignment shop called BoomARang (3/10 3:45pm),one of my favorite stores, and left one on a chair outside. Lots of people around and lots of cars going by but I don’t think anyone saw me. Whew!

Then I walked into Taco Bell and dropped one off in the women’s bathroom. (3/10 3:50pm) Too easy, I don’t think I’ll do anymore bathroom drop offs.

Then I walked by the bank and left one on the trash can by the ATM. (3/10 3:55) By this time I had to call it a day and go back to work. Bummer! The note card delivery being late set my timing off a little. I was disappointed but told myself that the universe was making sure these gifts got into all the right hands and for some secret reason, the last three drop offs would have to wait!

The next morning, my husband asked to use the camera. Eeek! My cover was about to be blown. With a guilty look and pathetic smile, I asked him not to look at the pictures on the camera. He immediately asked me if there were Secret Agent L photos on the camera and started signing the song again! He doesn’t even know what Secret Agent L even means at this point, but it’s pretty funny, don’t you think? What a smart guy! I really don’t mind if my husband knows about this, I just thought it would be more fun if nobody knew. Especially if it creates a buzz around town, which it probably will because we are a small town of giddy people who love this kind of stuff. But, to be figured out so early? Ugh, oh well!

So after he got done with the camera (and he says he didn’t look) I head out to walk to work with three more drops on my mind. I went inside the Main Street Clinic (natural healing doctors) and left one in the lobby.

Then I left one on an empty Gunnison Country Times newspaper rack inside the Main Street Mall.

Lastly, I walked into an apartment complex for senior citizens front lobby and dropped off one on top of the mail boxes.

Seven gifts, seven drop off locations, seven photos and I didn’t get caught. The only problem is, I want to do this every day now! Thanks Secret Agent L!

THIS IS AMAZING! Your photos are GORGEOUS, your creativity is incredible, and your kindness–above all–is absolutely astounding! THANK YOU!!

By the way, here’s an email I received from one of the recipients of this mission:

Hello!

Me and my friend Sara who I work with at BoomARang found your present today! I just wanted to say thanks for the card and present. It definitely brightened our day! Thanks for making my day:)

Sierra