doing the right thing

Last week while walking home, I saw an insurance card on the sidewalk. It was from my insurance company so I recognized it quickly, even though it was pretty dark. I stuck it in my pocket, and then promptly forgot about it.

The next day at work, I found it and did a quick poll in the hallway about what I should do with it. It’s not like a credit card that you might use on a regular basis, and probably not a big deal for the insurance company to reprint. But under the insured person’s name there was a company name on the card, and so I went to Google and found the address of the firm.

I tossed the card in an envelope and addressed it to the Human Resources Department. I jotted down a quick note saying that I’d found the card on 57th Street, and hoped they could get it back to its owner. I guess I didn’t sign it (head cold = fuzzy brain), because…

This morning I found the following message on our e-bulletin board from one of the receptionists: “Thanks for returning the insurance card found on the street: A staff member kindly mailed an insurance card found in the street back to Gregory G with an unsigned note. Gregory's father, George, called with heartfelt thanks. He said it's very refreshing that someone would take the time to do this and wanted to express his appreciation.”

So I’m assuming that the card belonged to a son who dropped it (there are lots of high schools and colleges in my office’s immediate area). Google came through again, because this kind person found my office and called say thank you. My hallway conferees are quite excited to see what good fortune comes my way for doing this good deed. Me too! I'm ready.