Tracking Skills and Super Powers

What a remarkable gift it is to alleviate someone’s anxiety and worry.

Just two days ago, I stumbled across a wallet in the HEB parking lot. At first glance, it was hard to tell what it was, but upon picking it up, I discovered a dollar bill and an ID inside. Curious, I decided to embark on a little quest. A more thorough examination revealed that while there were no credit cards, there was a substantial amount of cash—around $300. It seemed the wallet had been left intact, as cash is usually the first thing to go.

I attempted to return it to the address listed on the ID without any trouble. When I arrived, a friendly woman was sitting on the patio, working on her laptop. I introduced myself and mentioned that I was looking for “Ricky” and that I had found his ID, omitting any mention of the wallet or its contents. She informed me that she had moved there in September and reached out to the landlord. After that, I didn’t hear anything further.

After giving it some thought, I decided to try my luck on Instagram. I searched for Ricky’s name and found a few profiles, but one stood out with the right zip code in the handle. The photo resembled the guy on the ID. I sent him a message, hoping he’d accept my request: “Hey, I found something that might be yours. Can we verify this? I’d love to return it to you ASAP if you’re the right person. Missing anything?”

Five hours later, I received a response! He confirmed he had lost his wallet in the HEB parking lot—Cinderella had been found!

Today, we met at a coffee shop near my home to reunite him with his belongings. I could sense his anxiety; he was visibly shaken. His girlfriend’s birthday was yesterday, and the stress of the missing wallet had been weighing heavily on him. It was heartwarming to see him go from anxious to elated—I think he’s been floating ever since.

He offered to pay me for my trouble, but I declined. Instead, I handed him a card for Hempstalk and encouraged him to come support me while I was vending. It turned out he was supposed to vend at the festival too, and he makes the shirt I always admire at the local markets! As a token of appreciation, he gifted me a tank top that I had been eyeing for a year but hadn’t purchased due to its $28 price tag. It was fortuitous that he had one in my size and even suggested I tie-dye it. Instant friends, indeed!

This experience reminded me of when I was trying to track down my mom’s therapist and the investigator she hired after her passing, leaving everything to the church—except for the bills and cleanup. This was a much simpler and far less traumatic endeavor.

I can hardly believe I found him. I’m proud of the effort I put in and how much better I was able to make him feel—the relief I was able to bestow. What an incredible feeling it is to help someone in need. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to feel the emotions of others, but in moments like this, it truly feels like a superpower.