Bag Thief

Saturday Night I left our diaper bag in the Kroger parking lot. Normally not a big deal except it just so happened to have my wife's wrist wallet inside. All credit cards, debit cards, cash, one fairly large check, her driver's license, and over $350 in gift cards from multiple baby showers.

We didn't realize it until we needed to change my daughter after dinner. In a panic, we traveled back to Kroger only to find the bag absent. No one in Kroger found it. No trash cans held it. 

Stolen. Hundreds of dollars lost. Pain and anger gained. 

I was infuriated. I was disappointed. I wanted to give both myself and the thief a swift right cross. Any 'Christmas Spirit' I might have had disintegrated.

Later in the night we sat back at home gloomily watching the Grinch as I wanted to find the Grinch who put a giant damper on our Christmas. I couldn't understand how someone could so willingly take something that wasn't there's without a care for how much it might affect the owner.

In those moments I lost my faith in humanity. I absolutely prayed for the situation and hoped for the best but I couldn't get it out of my mind. The idea of thoughtless, selfish people, the exact opposite feeling I want to have during this season. 

My teeth grinded and my bones quivered as I sat upon my swirl emotions.

And then the doorbell rang.

A young teenage girl and her father asked for my wife's name. 

"No way." We both said with our jaws dropped. 

In the man's hands was the diaper bag filled with every single item accounted for with the check that had our address on it sticking on the outside.

Pam and I, both with tears in our eyes, shook their hands and gave them a hug thanking them over and over. 

"Yup. Have a good night." The girl insisted.

"Merry Christmas." The dad smiled.

It would be all the merrier now.

All my negative thoughts and energy lifted from my shoulders in one doorbell ring, one kind gesture, one group of loving people.

Regardless of how much filth, destruction and violence that is broadcast in our world there are still good-willed people in this world. There are still those who will go out if their way to do what's right. One of the many characteristics of the spirit of Christmas.

These people can help make a horrible night a great one. They can make a story you don't want to tell, one you can't stop sharing. 

They are out there. 

And they are awesome.

May your eyes be opened to see that company this Christmas season.

May YOU be one of those good-willed people for others.

And may the Spirit of Christmas be something that is spread year round.