Lifestyle

The Emotional Roller Coaster Of Finding Your Lost Wallet Through Twitter

by John Haltiwanger
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I had the morning from hell.

I slept terribly. I walked outside and it was pouring rain.

I got into a cab to head to work. I normally take the subway, but wasn't feeling very well, so I decided I'd treat myself.

Instead of taking me to 23rd Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan near my office, the cab driver misheard me and took me to 62nd Street and 3rd Avenue, which might as well have been another country.

I should've paid more attention, but I was hazy from sleep deprivation and didn't realize where the driver was heading.

Not to mention, people make mistakes. So I paid for the cab and got out, thinking I'd just hop on the subway after all to not waste any more money.

But it was still raining, and I was worried I'd be late for work, so I grabbed another cab.

This time, the driver took me to the correct destination.

When we pulled up, I took my wallet out, set it on the seat, paid the driver and got out.

But I never picked my wallet back up.

I immediately realized my disastrous mistake, but the cab was long gone.

I'd failed to catch the driver's name or the cab's number, and I paid with cash, not a credit card.

I was resigned to believe I'd never see the wallet again. Shit happens.

So there I was, standing in the middle of Manhattan, soaking wet from the rain, walletless and pathetic.

I didn't have any money — couldn't even buy myself a coffee to get caffeinated enough to have the mental fortitude to solve this predicament. What a loser, right?

After trying to put the pieces of my life back together, I sat down and started getting some work done. I figured I should at least be productive in order to make up for my absentmindedness that morning.

About an hour later, I checked my email. At the top of my inbox was an email with a subject line that said, "Found you wallet. I'm the cab driver."

John Haltiwanger

My spirits were immediately lifted. I was astonished.

Faith in humanity restored!

The cab driver told me he found me through Twitter. My bio has my email, so that's how he figured out how to contact me.

Don't let anyone ever tell you social media is a complete waste of time, because it just saved my life.

The driver gave me his number, so I texted him. I told him I would pay him for returning the wallet, but he declined my offer.

My day went from horrible to hopeful, and it's all because of the kindness of a complete stranger.

People are good. They really are. Remember that if you're having a bad day, and keep your chin up. Things will get better.