unknown
March 22, 2026
The kindness of strangers: My kids sent me a birthday fax from far away
I was all alone in a Washington DC hotel on my birthday – and someone else had received my children’s message by mistake
TL;DR
- The author spent her birthday alone in a Washington D.C. hotel.
- Her daughters sent a handwritten birthday message via fax.
- The fax was mistakenly delivered to a private residence instead of the hotel.
- The resident who received the fax found the hotel's correct number and arranged for the cake and message to be delivered.
- The author contacted the resident to express her gratitude.
- The author reflects on this memory as a reminder of the kindness and good character of many Americans.