NICE Testimonial: Lost and Found

Happy Friday everyone! A few days ago, Glenda J. emailed me this incredible story about her encounter with two kind strangers while away on an overnight trip.

I think I’ve always believed in miracles but believed they happened to other folks, not me. A recent trip has changed that last part, forever.

My mom and I went for a “girl’s only” overnight to Portland, OR. We went down on the train from Seattle on Friday and had lunch with family and walked around in the afternoon to see some close sights. Saturday we took our time with breakfast then headed out to the Tri-Met Max to take our bags to the train station or bus station then planned to enjoy a few hours at the Saturday Market before returning home, again by train.

I put our 2 bags together and made it to the stop with my mom after a few map consultations. We got to the stop and I put my purse down to take our bags apart to make the boarding easier. We got on and we were on our way.

Suddenly, I realized that I didn’t have my purse. I got off at the next stop and ran the fastest four block sprint I have done in years. My bag was not there, or in the trash containers or anywhere. I frantically looked around and even asked a homeless man if he had seen anyone with a black purse, no luck.

I got back on the Max and rejoined my mom at the Greyhound bus station where we had agreed to meet. She was outside when I arrived, reading her daily bible lesson. I expected that she would let me have it but she didn’t—even though I had put her wallet in my purse to make it easier for her. We had no ID, credit cards or tickets back to Seattle. Thankfully she did have her cell phone and “gambling coat” with enough money to get us home. I briefly thought about calling my cell but I knew it was off. Instead I called the police and reported the loss, called the credit union and cancelled our major cards.

I finally took a short break to the restroom while my mom dealt with the credit union. While I was there I found some else’s ID which I quickly turned over to security. When I heard them calling the person, I thought, “at least that person is getting some of their things back.” After my mom finished with the credit union, she had to use the facilities as well, so I decided to call the Tri-Met Police and leave a number in case my purse had been turned in. After that I thought, “Why don’t you just call your phone? What could it hurt?” I did and that’s when my miracle began.

Someone answered and before I could barely say who I was, the kind voice on the other end said, “I have your purse and need to get it back to you!” After confirming where we were, I broke down and sobbed with joy. My mom returned and was very concerned—what had happened? I could barely croak out that my purse had been found and that they were going to bring it back to us.

About an hour later we met our rescuers. From them we learned “the rest of the story”. Caitlin, the voice on the phone, had found it with her friend Gordon, probably within moments of me leaving it. They looked for the owner but their bus came so they returned to their home in SW Portland. While I was making a police report they were calling the hotel we had stayed in to find out we had checked out, and they called my home and left a message. They were concerned to find both wallets and our train tickets—how would they find us? Well, thankfully I made that call and Caitlin answered. We gave them a finder’s fee and had a perfect stranger take our picture—proof of my miracle.

While waiting for our train to arrive we marveled over “our miracle”. We agreed about two things. One, we were indeed blessed. Two, we needed to return, sooner than later!

PS—We did return about a month later and caught up with Caitlin and Gordon for breakfast. We presented our framed “Found” photo and story and urged them to visit us soon.

Isn't that wonderful?? Stories like this reinforce my faith in humanity! I once lost my wallet at the Museum of Natural History in NYC. My husband, the skeptic, didn't think there was any way I'd see it again, but I checked with the information desk and sure enough, some kind soul turned it in! And I couldn't even properly thank them! Thank goodness for people like Caitlin and Gordon. :)

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