A few weeks ago, my eldest granddaughter announced that she was engaged and intended to get married next year. Subsequently, she came to me to ask me to preside at the wedding. To do this, I learned that in order to make that official, I had to be a notary public. To become a notary public, I had to take an exam and fill out documents that required the signature of a notary public.

I have the bad habit of not carrying much cash in my pockets and when I was at the city window the person asked me for $5 to get the papers notarized. This came as a surprise to me since my wife had been a notary public in Vermont when we lived there and she never charged for the service.

I am not complaining about that charge. If it is the custom in Maine to charge, I am willing to pay the fee. But I did not have $5 in my pocket. I said, “I’ll come back with my $5. A kind woman overheard the conversation and placed $5 on the counter and refused to identify herself.

I wish to thank that kind person for such a spontaneous gesture.

Dominique Casavant, Auburn

Editor’s note: According to Maine’s Notary Public Handbook and Resource Guide, notaries can set their own rates. If they charge for services, they must establish a fee structure and schedule so people seeking their services will be aware of the cost.