Attaboy! The World Is Full of Surprises

I about how I was reminded of a lesson taught to me by my dad. The difference between “aww craps” and “attaboys.” My story had ended with a big “aww crap.”

I had lost my diaper bag, which contained my expensive SLR camera that was a gift from my dad, my prescription sunglasses and all my baby things. “Aww crap” was right. But all the supportive comments I received from family, friends and readers were enough to help me let go and move on.

Life happens. People make mistakes. After hearing other people’s “aww crap” stories, I knew I wasn’t alone. It was just the “attaboy” I needed. I also realized that they were just material things that I lost and could all be replaced in time. I had accepted my loss and was moving forward. Until …

Last Friday, my wife was out getting her hair done so I figured I would take Ellie out for a little daddy-daughter date downtown for Third Friday. We stopped in at and bought some root beer. Then we cruised the streets with our eye on ice cream. Watch out, , here we come. Since I was without my regular prescription sunglasses, I was sporting a cheap pair I picked up at . I had to squint a little to see, but we were just walking. My regular glasses were in a pouch on my stroller. But when I reached for my wallet to pay for the ice cream, I noticed they were gone. Really!? I lost another thing? Another pair of glasses!? Did I really do this? “Aww crap!”

I’m not the type of person who frequently loses things, especially expensive things. But in a week’s time, I had lost my diaper bag, my camera, my prescription sunglasses, my regular glasses and all my baby accessories. I was feeling pretty low and like an idiot. I retraced my steps about a million times that night, and even a few more the next day. I must have hit a bump and they went flying. Oh, well. 

I took these events as a sign that I needed a break. I decided to take the whole weekend off. Ellie would be my wife’s responsibility all weekend. I wouldn’t be changing diapers, cooking, cutting the grass or anything. While she managed the house, I went to with my laptop to blog about my feelings. I was just hoping that I wouldn’t lose anything else. 

Once I was at The Grind, my luck started to change. I received a phone call from (that Patch guy who runs this thing) saying he had a few things to get to me. Cool, come on down.

Jason gave me a T-shirt along with some other Patch accessories, business cards and things like that. I thought he was done, but he said he had to talk to me about something else. I curiously and nervously said, “Umm, OK?” He started telling me about a phone call he had received about a covert operation. Apparently a Wyandotte Patch reader had read the story of the and wanted to anonymously help me out with a little something to help pay for a new camera. Wow! Really!? A complete stranger?

And by a little something, I was expecting maybe $50 or less. But Jason said, “I don’t know how much these things cost, but something tells me you’ll be OK,” and slid an envelope across the table.

I was nervous to open it. I wasn’t soliciting for handouts when I posted about my bag. And a complete stranger wanted to help me. It was like a movie. When I opened the envelope, I was shocked at the amount. Wow, that’ll just about cover it alright. Jason kiddingly said, “Don’t lose it!” Attaboy!

I felt awkward and guilty accepting the gift, but also overwhelmed and touched. How could I accept a gift like this, but how could I turn it down, either? When I went home and told my wife, she cried. It still hasn’t completely registered to me what happened.

And then …

When I went to check my e-mail, another reader and her family had sent me a gift card along with some very kind words wishing me a Happy Father’s Day, saying they wanted to help out, too. Wow! Attaboy!

To say I am completely blown away, shocked, humbled, amazed, overwhelmed and grateful (I think I got them all) by these gifts is an understatement. Sometimes when you listen to the news, or hear people’s horror stories, it can make you feel like the world is a dung heap. And then something like this happens and completely restores your faith in the generosity and kindness of people. You can never underestimate the kindness of strangers.

To my anonymous donor out there, thank you so much from me and my family. Saying “thank you” just doesn’t seem like it’s enough. I’m still a little speechless as to what to say. You’ve brightened our spirits and warmed our hearts. And since we don’t know how to pay you back, we plan to do our best to pay it forward.