It was only a $39 bill that was paid immediately (we always pay off balances every month)

We have a late payment on our credit report. I don't dispute the late payment; however there were extenuating circumstances (we lived out of the country at the time, and my mother-in-law didn't send us the bill in time to get it paid promptly). It was only a $39 bill that was paid immediately (we always pay off balances every month). We never carry credit balances, and yet we have this black mark on our credit report for a $39 bill!! Is there some way to add a comment to the report or to get it removed?
---------------------
you can dispute it and hope

you could negotiate

you can wait two years from today and keep new good credit

thats about all that can be done
--------------------------