I believe there are few things in life that tell you more about a person than what they do when they come across a lost wallet. Whether it be lying in the snow, left at the cash register, dropped outside a residence or so on. 

This happened to me on Friday, Jan. 7. I spent my lunch hour shopping for my new nephew Hunter who was born earlier that morning (ask me how hard it is to not brag about the most perfect little boy in the whole world – oops, I couldn’t help myself). I picked up a moose onesie, complete with antlers and a few other items. As I headed back into the Fitzhugh office on Connaught Dr., my arms were full and my terrible hand-me-down purse was wide open without my knowledge. I guess I was also a bit out of it, thinking about little Hunter up in Whitehorse, and his new parents, my older brother Eric and his fiancé Lara-Rae. My wallet must have tumbled out at this point. I didn’t even notice.

A few hours later a strange number called my cell phone. Being at work I didn’t answer, but shortly after we received a call at the office. It was a very nice lady who happened to be driving down Connaught when she noticed a black and pink wallet on the ground next to my Toyota. 

She pulled over and grabbed it, and left a note on my windshield. When she called she asked me if I was missing my wallet. I frantically searched my purse and when it didn’t turn up, I felt a little stupid. 

Actually, to clarify, a lot stupid. Having just switched everything in it over to Alberta, it would have been more than a minor inconvenience. 

She gave me her address and the work day quickly finished up. I wrapped up the story I had been working on and headed over to my wallet rescuer’s house. I imagine I was a bit red in the face as she invited me in, and handed me my soaking wet wallet I hadn’t even known was missing. Thankfully it was in safe hands, nothing was missing and although it was damp, nothing was ruined.

We chatted for a few minutes before I thanked her over and over. As I got back in the car, I told myself it was my turn to pay this bit of good fortune and karma forward. 

So how can a forgetful and thankful person pay back whatever gods of luck made sure my wandering wallet fell into the right hands? While I haven’t come up with a good deed yet, I’m on the look out. 

For those of you who believe that no good or bad deed goes unrewarded like I do, I think the woman who found and returned my wallet should have a pretty good 2011 to look forward to. I think it’s a lesson we can all learn from (and certainly I have) as we move further into the new year. 

On that Friday I was also blessed with a happy, healthy and beautiful nephew. I certainly owe a few favours to the world for both my wallet finding its way back home, my brother becoming a Dad and the ability to mercilessly tease my barely 50-something-year-old parents about becoming Grandparents – I better get started. 

Welcome to the world, Hunter Michael Grant.  

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writers own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.