A Christmas card mailed in Natchez this month made an unplanned journey to Glendale, Calif., before being returned to its sender by a West Coast resident.

&uot;This is very unusual and we’re just excited she sent the card back,&uot; said Pastor Clifton Marvel Sr. of Natchez.

Marvel said his wife, Alma Marvel, mailed a Christmas card to a friend who lives at 305 Briarwood Road in Natchez only to have it returned this week postmarked Pasadena, Calif., from a woman who lives at 305 Parkwood Lane in Glendale, Calif.

&uot;We don’t know anyone in Glendale, California,&uot; Marvel said. &uot;I thought it was a bill at first.&uot;

After receiving the card in the mail, Laura Lovick, the Glendale resident, placed it in a manila envelope and mailed it back to the Marvels, who received it about two days ago.

&uot;It’s so thoughtful and kind, and that’s unusual of people,&uot; said Marvel, who added he expected many people would have thrown the card away. &uot;This is astronomical to say the least.&uot;

Lovick also included a note with the card. In the note she wrote, &uot;(I) thought you might be interested to see that your local card made it all the way to California with the only similarity being the 305.&uot;

Lovick also joked in the note about the cost of postage. &uot;Perhaps with the postal increase next month they’ll be able to get it right,&uot; she wrote.

Marvel said he and his wife are perplexed as to how the card could have made it to California, but they plan to send Lovick a postcard of Natchez to thank her. They also plan to hand deliver the original card to its intended recipient, Bettye Mullen of Natchez.