I got cataract surgery, and a lost wallet story

Just a couple weeks ago at my annual eye check the Dr said “Your cataracts could come out anytime, but you could probably wait 2 or 3 years”.

I jumped on that, “But I could do it now?” , “Yes, but you have to have some kind of lifestyle complaint, for instance you avoid driving at night…”

“I do avoid driving at night!”

So from there everything moved super quickly. I was stunned by how fast I was scheduled and the first surgery was Monday, and I was already driving yesterday. I’m so thrilled to have this being taken care of.

NOW, Sunday, my son, who I live with, went through the Safeway ad, and decided there were enough great deals it made it worth fooling with the app, and making a special trip, fortunately they are right around the corner. He’s gone a half hour, and comes back flushed with the triumph of getting so many great deals.

Then when he goes to use the car again, he can’t find his wallet. Intense search follows. Then panic. Calls to Safeway. Goes to Safeway to search parking lot, they even let him view security camera footage and he sees he left with wallet in his pocket.

Mood in house is now very grim. There was $1,900.00 in cash in there, plus the usual pain of having to cancel all the cards. My son has his own business so it’s extra complicated.

That evening he gets a text. Did you lose something? He says yes, my wallet. The next text says they found it in the pavement in front of Target, with the credit cards all fanned out on the ground. No money. The person won’t talk on the phone, won’t give a name, and finally agrees to meet at Home Depot (all these stores are near us), to return the wallet.

My son goes alone, which made us nervous, the person seemed so cagey. He comes back and says he is sure this guy was in the camera footage from Safeway, and that 1) he took the money, and 2) this was not normal for him, but it being so much money was just too tempting for him. My son kept trying to get a name, telling him when he got more money he’d like to reward him for bringing him his wallet, but the guy refused.

That was Sunday, Monday, while he’s in the ocean fishing, my son gets a text, could you meet at Home Depot again? He says no, but he can on Tuesday.

I had my follow up appointment with the eye doctor, and then therapy, and didn’t get home until 6:00, and was dying of curiosity. I walked in the house, and was told, “Jim said his conscience was killing him these last three days.”

And there on the kitchen table was an envelope with hundred dollar bills spilling out of it.

I asked if he gave the guy a reward, and yes, $300.

I’m proud of you, Jim. Took guts to do that.