We crossed the border and headed south on Interstate 75. We had driven this way many times, so we were familiar with the route. Still the snow made visibility almost nil. So, when we saw an exit for Monroe, we took it.

Just off the exit was the Holiday Inn. We don’t usually stay there, but we didn’t have much of a choice. All the lodging had no vacancy signs lit up except the Holiday Inn and they had vacancies.

The lady at the desk was most obliging. She talked to the boys, was friendly and gave us a $20.00 discount because of the storm. She told us we were welcome to use the heated pool and that a continental breakfast was served from 7 to 9 am each morning.

As we headed to our room with our luggage, the boys saw the pool. It was beautiful with glass from ceiling to floor. They asked if we could go swimming, but since it was so late, I suggested they wait until morning.

Our room was terrific. Two beds, one for the boys and one for my husband and I. The boys were soon fast asleep and my husband and I weren’t far behind.

All night I woke up off and on to the sound of large snow equipment clearing the roads and parking lots. And there was snow… over 3 feet had fallen in a very short period of time. However, by 7 am, it had stopped and the snow removal vehicles were still working hard so all businesses would be accessible.

We all went down to the lobby and enjoyed a great continental breakfast. There was a lot offered. Hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, toast and so much more. I had never had a continental breakfast like it; it was more of a buffet.

After breakfast I took the boys to the swimming pool. What an experience! We were sitting in a heated pool, looking through the large floor-to-ceiling windows at snow banks that were 3 feet high. There were pine trees and cedar shrubs just outside the window. The view was marvelous. Then, a flash of red against the snow and a cardinal and his mate landed in the cedar shrub. This turned the scene into something off a Christmas card. It was a wonderful sight and the boys were in awe. The contrast of the hot water and the wintery scene was awesome.

After the swim, we packed up and were on our way. About 100 miles down the road, the youngest grandson, Jordan, asked where Wrinkles was. Now Wrinkles is his best friend ever; a stuffed dog with the wrinkled face. He’s been Jordan’s pal ever since the boy was two years old. He cried. No one had seen him; no one had packed him. Wrinkles was at the Holiday Inn.

I had my cell phone, so phoned my daughter, the boys’ mother and asked her to phone the Holiday Inn in Monroe to see if they had phoned Wrinkles. I told her I would call back later that day to see what she had found out.

In the meantime, Jordan was beside himself. I tried to calm him down, assuring him if we didn’t find Wrinkles that we would get him a new stuffed toy at Disney World. "But it’s not the same, Grandma," he sobbed.

I knew it wasn’t the same, but it was the best I could do. We were too far down the road to go back for Wrinkles and we were on a tight schedule.

Later that night, I called my daughter and let Jordan talk to her. The cleaning staff at the Holiday Inn, in Monroe, had indeed found Wrinkles. He was ready to be shipped home and he would be flying into Toronto on a plane. From there, he would be couriered to Jordan’s house where Mom would take him out of the package and put him back in Jordan’s room. Jordan was ecstatic. Wrinkles would be home before he was.

When we arrived safely home, Jordan had a new stuffed toy in hand. However, as soon as he got in the door, he took off his shoes and ran to his bedroom to find Wrinkles. He came back out, carrying and hugging his beloved toy.

The staff at the Holiday Inn in Monroe, Michigan went out of their way to see that a young boy had his beloved friend returned. The service at this lodging was excellent and these wonderful people went above and beyond the call of duty to make a small boy happy.

The boys sent thank you notes to the staff and on our next trip south, we stopped there to stay. In fact, we will stay at the Holiday Inn in Monroe every time we pass in that area. Human kindness and love still exist in today’s world.

If you're ever in Monroe, book your hotel room in one of the following Holiday Inn locations:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - Monroe - Click here

Holiday Inn Express Hotels - Monroe - Click here

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites - Conference Center-Monroe - Click here

Holiday Inn Hotels - Michigan City - Click here