From: [redacted]
Date: December 20, 2008 8:44:31 AM EST
To: Julia@nonSociety.com
Subject: Pay It Forward

Hi Julia,

I have never written to you before, but I read nonsociety.com almost daily. You ladies are usually thinking the same thing I am on most days!

I wanted to share this story with you that happened to me last weekend - I thought you’d like to hear it as it almost brought tears to my eyes when I read it. It’s all about the holiday spirit.

My friend and I went to Hartford, CT on Saturday afternoon for a holiday party. She spotted a wallet on the seat next to us when we sat down and I said maybe it was the person that just left to go get water. When that person came back on and bypassed the wallet, I told her to grab and let’s see if there is an id in it. The id did not match the other people with us, and so I looked up the person on Facebook to send them a message to let him know that we gave it to the bus driver. We heard the driver call him and said that he would meet this guy anywhere in the city in a few hours and we were than assured that he would get his wallet-containing credit cards and cash-back before the end of the evening.

Both my friend and I have had our wallets stolen, credit cards misused and known that empty feeling inside when it’s gone missing. Keeping it was something that never crossed either of our minds.

He responded to my message on Saturday afternoon and said that he received the call and thank you, but here is his message I received today:

“Not to be strange or creepy, but I thought you might appreciate the full extent of what happened Saturday.

After getting off the bus I was very hungry. I walked into a nearby pizza place and ordered a few slices. When I was told my slices were ready, I reached into my pocket to pay and found my wallet missing. I tore through my bags and coats, but after a few frantic minutes, I knew I just didn’t have it.

I told the pizza guy that I couldn’t pay, that I would have to leave and that I was very sorry. He told me not to worry, enjoy the pizza and hope for the best. He said I could come back any time and pay.

While I ate, I got your facebook text, then a call from the Bus company. When I told the bus driver that I was just so relieved that he had found my wallet and that I could pick it up Sunday when I returned to Hartford, he told me “No, I will bring it to you.” He then met me in the city and returned my wallet to me. My first stop was to pay back the pizza place.

That night I had plans to go see Wintuk, the Cirque du Soliel show. Unfortunately, one of the two friends I was planning on going with had to cancel last minute. While walking into Madison Square Garden, I noticed a man frantically going through his pockets and bag. Being a little more attuned to such a situation than normal, I stopped and eavesdropped. He couldn’t find his third ticket. He was there with his son and daughter, probably 6 and 8, and couldn’t find his third ticket.

At this point the end of the story is clear. All five of us saw the show and the relief of this man’s face and his genuine appreciation was overwhelming.

Karma, balance, I don’t know. But in a world where it seems like everything is falling apart, losing my wallet Saturday was almost worth the sincere restoration of faith I experienced as a result.

Thank you again and if there is any way I can repay you, please let me know.”

Yes, that is karma, if I’ve ever seen it.  I even got a chill as I typed that … wow.

“As you sow, so you shall reap.”