COLUMN: The kindness of strangers on display in Tim Hortons

My Christmas 2024 started early. To be specific, it did Nov. 15.

Every now and then, I meet my friend George to share a coffee and a yarn and catch up on our families and mutual friends as well discuss world events. George used to be a farmer in the Holland Marsh, and he has a vast store of knowledge about growing things as well as the history of the marsh. An hour passes quickly.

Caffeine fortified, we took our leave and jumped in our cars. Twelve minutes later I was parked again, ready to start my daily country-road walk. While doing a final check for phone, wallet and keys, a short feeling of panic hit me. My wallet was not where it was supposed to be, my back pocket. Immediately, the thought crossed my mind to phone the respective agencies to cancel the credit card, bank card, licence and health card. Calmer, more rational thought won out. Some pensive moments later, and I concluded that the wallet most certainly had to be at Tim Hortons.

That meant the 12-minute drive back to the coffee place was, I guess, a little shorter. In circumstances like this my right foot suddenly feels heavier.

Entering Timmy’s, I saw a family of four: mother, father, grandfather and teenaged son (it was a PD day), occupying our recent booth. When I explained my loss and the suspicion that the wallet was most likely there, they were most cooperative. They found all kinds of discarded materials on the blind side of the booth. Unfortunately, some previous occupants must find the 15-foot walk to the garbage cans too taxing, even after a caffeine charge. The family’s best efforts did not locate the wallet beside the seat. Doubt about my supposedly logical thinking crept in. Just then the boy, having bent himself under the table, showed me a wallet he found on the ground, half hidden by the table’s foot and asked, “Is this it?” Santa Claus happy, it was.

Feeling thankful, I offered a cash reward but all four of them protested and refused, almost in unison, the offered money. All I was left with was to thank them profusely for their cooperation and assistance.

This world is a great place when people show kindness to each other.

Have a Merry Christmas, whenever you will celebrate it.