Letter to the Editor

Santa’s Sandy Hill helper

On Saturday, November 22, I set out to pick up papers at my favourite magazine shop on Rideau Street.Then I trundled down to Shoppers Drug Mart to mail a parcel. Since it was a rare sunny day, I decided to head to Elgin Street to do a little seasonal shopping.

I stopped on the Laurier bridge and watched as the Santa Claus parade travelled by below along Queen Elizabeth Driveway. I decided to take a picture with my cell phone as I had a bird’s eye view of Old Saint Nick himself. I have grandchildren in Australia, who are verging on the edge of disbelief in the Old Elf, so I thought a picture might help keep their innocence a little longer. It was so heartwarming to see so many happy faces.

Once on Elgin Street, as I slipped my hand into my coat pocket for my wallet to pay for a purchase, I realized to my horror that my wallet wasn’t there! I upended my shopping bag, emptied my coat pockets…nothing. I hot footed it back to Shoppers on my 74-year-old legs, simultaneously and unsuccessfully trying to reach them by phone at their customer service. Immediately heading to the cashier, I asked if anyone had turned in a wallet…negative! Aghhh!

I walked even faster home where I live near Strathcona Park with worst case scenarios dancing in my head … was I pickpocketed, had I lost it somewhere, if so, how? Am I losing my marbles and my wallet?!

Immediate cancellation of credit card and debit card along with Presto card…. No new charges to my credit card since Shoppers Drugs, so I breathed a little easier. Sat with a cup of tea, imagining the wait and the hassle to get other IDs replaced.

About ten minutes later my son in Richmond texted me to say a fellow had just called him to say he and his daughter had found my wallet! And he lived three blocks away from me. My son gave the chap my number and I heard from “Philip” shortly after that. He had found a card in my wallet that had emergency phone numbers if anything untoward happened to me or my property. They found it on the Laurier bridge where I had stopped to watch the parade. Philip and his daughter met me at Working Title and returned my wallet.

It really felt like a miracle and Philip and his daughter were my angels. It is so wonderful to know there are honest, kind folks in the world. In fact, I believe most folks are inclined that way! Philip parted with a suggestion that I read IMAGE, which I do regularly with great interest. Thank you again Philip and daughter. Blessings and Seasons Greetings!

Beth Smith
Laurier Avenue

Editor’s note: Philip is none other than IMAGE photographer Philip Owen.