I found a wallet STUFFED with goodies

Beach Fanatic

Aug 9, '09 · 11:18 AM4,283

On Robert Ellis street, off 30A, I found a wallet stuffed with goodies. I'm always looking for treasures out in Nature and in the Gulf, as you may know. I find sun glasses and other human things quite frequently, but this one is a bit different.

What does a true sowaller do when they find a wallet over-stuffed like a Louisiana Shrimp po-boy? They find its rightful owner.

I tried through Chase bank and even though I had his pen # I did not continue to try to find a 'talking person' by using it. I opted for Geico Insurance who put in a call to the wallets owner, though he did not answer (probably on the beach)

I also called a few numbers found in his wallet and one returned my call, saying they would try to contact the owner who is a 'world traveler'. Wow! The places this person has been.

But I'd hate for this individual to get all panicked, close accounts and have their travel here in paradise ruined.

And yes, for those who know me, I'm still not working and yes, the money looks damn green

But boy, my heart sure does feel swell trying to locate the owner.

And years from now the ripple I create will assimilate, perhaps help a child chose love over hate. And with sand and with sun I know I will be one, who makes this paradise, we call 30A, a little better.

Replies

Beach Fanatic

Aug 22, '09 · 6:49 PM#27

Way to go Mike and glad the owner appreciated your honestly. :clap:

SoWal Insider

Aug 22, '09 · 8:22 PM#28

Go Mike Go ...anyone have a link to the letter?

Beach Fanatic

Aug 23, '09 · 8:36 AM#29

Walton Sun August 22 edition

I tried finding the letter from the website, but don't find it. Essentially Jordan Buckley noted how busy his life was and how lucky he was that Mike found his wallet as it could have turned out far worse. Cool how he took the time to give Mike credit as was due.

Beach Fanatic

Aug 23, '09 · 10:05 AM#30

This incident reminded me of a quote from David Foster Wallace about freedom:

"The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day."

David Foster Wallace on Life and Work - WSJ.com

His last book will be coming out soon. He died earlier this year. NPR did a special on him recently.

Edited Aug 23, '09 · 10:07 AM

Beach FanaticAuthor

Aug 23, '09 · 10:51 AM#31

This incident reminded me of a quote from David Foster Wallace about freedom:

"The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day."

I appreciate the kind quote and believe its words are monumental, but I need to make one distinction... I was 'very sexy' as I retrieved the wallet from the street. I do yoga and Pilates and am qute supple. As I lengthened my hamstring and stretched down to get the wallet, I can assure you, without question, that I was VERY sexy. I even held my pose for, I don't know, a few seconds. I know no one saw the artistry of my statuesque stance, but believe me, the gods sang in unison as they peered down at my form below. It was a special moment in time.

So, the moral of the story is, you can do many moral and ethical things in life and still do so with an amazing degree of sexiness. I just think that point needed to be made

Luv yall. And for those of you who don't mind my wicked sense of humor, or lack thereof, I luv you even more

Beach Fanatic

Aug 23, '09 · 11:06 AM#32

This incident reminded me of a quote from David Foster Wallace about freedom:

"The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day."

I appreciate the kind quote and believe its words are monumental, but I need to make one distinction... I was 'very sexy' as I retrieved the wallet from the street. I do yoga and Pilates and am qute supple. As I lengthened my hamstring and stretched down to get the wallet, I can assure you, without question, that I was VERY sexy. I even held my pose for, I don't know, a few seconds. I know no one saw the artistry of my statuesque stance, but believe me, the gods sang in unison as they peered down at my form below. It was a special moment in time.

So, the moral of the story is, you can do many moral and ethical things in life and still do so with an amazing degree of sexiness. I just think that point needed to be made

Luv yall. And for those of you who don't mind my wicked sense of humor, or lack thereof, I luv you even more

good for you! I just started a new Fitness for Life course last week--and believe me when I was stretching my hamstrings and whatever else...it felt (and probably looked) anything but sexy...but I have hope! LOL.

Beach Fanatic

Aug 23, '09 · 11:10 AM#33

I appreciate the kind quote and believe its words are monumental, but I need to make one distinction... I was 'very sexy' as I retrieved the wallet from the street. I do yoga and Pilates and am qute supple. As I lengthened my hamstring and stretched down to get the wallet, I can assure you, without question, that I was VERY sexy. I even held my pose for, I don't know, a few seconds. I know no one saw the artistry of my statuesque stance, but believe me, the gods sang in unison as they peered down at my form below. It was a special moment in time.

seriously.

(i need some coffee)

Beach Fanatic

Aug 23, '09 · 12:55 PM#34

This incident reminded me of a quote from David Foster Wallace about freedom:

"The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day."

I appreciate the kind quote and believe its words are monumental, but I need to make one distinction... I was 'very sexy' as I retrieved the wallet from the street. I do yoga and Pilates and am qute supple. As I lengthened my hamstring and stretched down to get the wallet, I can assure you, without question, that I was VERY sexy. I even held my pose for, I don't know, a few seconds. I know no one saw the artistry of my statuesque stance, but believe me, the gods sang in unison as they peered down at my form below. It was a special moment in time.

So, the moral of the story is, you can do many moral and ethical things in life and still do so with an amazing degree of sexiness. I just think that point needed to be made

Luv yall. And for those of you who don't mind my wicked sense of humor, or lack thereof, I luv you even more

Beach Lover

Aug 23, '09 · 3:31 PM#35

Accept the accolades! You certainly deserve them. You never know....someone reading this may find a wallet, lost animal, stolen car....and because he/she read this thread and thought of you did the right thing.
I hope your lonely road diminishes and leads to a field of white daisies. Daisies are just happy flowers!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Aug 23, '09 · 7:50 PM#36

Accept the accolades! You certainly deserve them. You never know....someone reading this may find a wallet, lost animal, stolen car....and because he/she read this thread and thought of you did the right thing.
I hope your lonely road diminishes and leads to a field of white daisies. Daisies are just happy flowers!

I don't know about flowers, but I met a nice, happy couple last night at Bud and Alley's. They were a great looking pair and I had to stop the guy and tell him so. I was told by some 'friends' not to define couples as 'a great looking couple' or whatever, that they might think I was weird lol. But the guy was gracious and accepting of my compliment.

I won't tell their names, but the guy is from Atlanta and has been here for 7 years. He played, as I remember, on the Nationwide tour and his wife seemed like a vibrant and wonderful person.

My point is, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and it inspired me. The guy spoke so affectionately about his wife. He had a glow with each spoken word about her. I've seen them out before and they seem like remarkable and warm people. And meeting them gave me a similiar feeling to returning the wallet. A vibe of goodness.

I'm not sure, exactly, how to describe the feeling. But it was a feeling of connection and truth. Genuiness. The comment of goodwitch58 kind of comes to play here. This guy gave me his attention, awareness and care. And yes, I think he was sacrificing while talking to me, because his wife is absolutely gorgeous, along with the friend she had with her. So with each word he spoke to me, he was away from her a moment too long. Belive me

But his words were wise. He spoke of finding her and what it has meant to him. I guess it hit home with me as I have had a void in my life in that regard. But as with the wonderful connection I felt with life as I returned the wallet, I notice that same connection in various ways. Meeting wonderful people here along 30A that share that invisible spirit, that is a wonderful connection. Receiving such kindness from my fellow sowal threaders and posters has been a benefit to my life and immensely so. I graciously accept all of it.

You know, I, like everyone else, am here for only a short duration. Let's live happily together :roll: And as long as I can continue doing so, hopefully, do so along 30A. :wub: