Lost and Found: An Adventure in Returning Belongings and Finding Relief

Have you ever had something returned to you from a lost and found? It wasn’t necessarily lost. In fact, it was by the original owner. This happened to me years ago when I was a frequent seller at Flea Markets and Auction Houses. I would get a lot of the items I sold from buyouts, such as personal storage unit contents, or happen to browse moving sales where I could pick up items at discounted prices. Once, at a moving sale, I found a box of personal items, including a Dog Tag from the US Navy. The second tag was missing, and the owner had moved to Georgia from Indiana.

Every year, I would search for his name online. After six to seven years with no results, I posted his name on Facebook groups. Sure enough, he had moved back to the area. We contacted each other about returning the tag or him destroying it. I wasn't about to let his Social Security Number (SSN) get out. We discussed his missing tag, which he had given to his oldest child after his service. After a couple of missed drop-offs, he asked me to send it to him, which I did. He called a few days later to say he had received it and was incredibly happy that I took the time to find him and return it.

Perfect Timing for Another Adventure

Well, perfect timing… My grandson and I went to the movies in Salisbury Hoyts theatre in South Australia, Adelaide, last night. He is an 18-year-old who loves horror movies. It was the only theatre I knew let you bring food from Subway, which is in the same building. I paid for two sandwiches and drinks, then we entered the cinema. My grandson went to the toilet and asked me to grab his food and drinks while he picked out the seats. When he returned, I noticed he had a large box of popcorn, an ice cream, and a chocolate bar – typical teenage fare.

Back home, half an hour later, he asked for the car keys to go out to the car. This morning, I woke him up to have a shower, and he walked past me muttering about his credit card. I asked him what he said, and he replied, “I think I left my credit card on the cinema counter.” I said we didn't get anything from the counter, then remembered him eating the popcorn, etc. We sat down and talked. I asked him if he was sure he left it on the counter. He replied with certainty, “Yes.” We agreed to go to the cinema first, then the Commonwealth Bank if that turned out to be a failure.

We arrived at the cinema and chatted about how long it took for the bank to send another card. There weren't many honest people around these days. We asked the woman there if anyone had handed it in. She said no. I was about to suggest the bank opening in 10 minutes when she asked if he remembered the theatre and seat numbers. Raising his hopes, he replied, “Theatre 7, very back row, G8, 9.” She said to wait for a few minutes and came back with a smile, waving his grandson's credit card. She said it had ended up where "all things go." He thanked her profusely and said she had gone out of her way to help him.

Conclusion

The Commonwealth Bank has a policy where you can lock your card so no one can use it, then unlock it when needed. This is the relief a person feels after such an ordeal. It's a small reminder of the kindness and honesty that still exist in our society. Every kind act, even if it’s returning a lost credit card, brings a bit of joy and relief to the person in need.