Finding lost purse raises age-old question

December 9, 2012, The Calgary Sun

By: Damien Wood

Sometimes the most selfless of people are the ones who would be maybe just a little justified being selfish.

Not long ago, the Sun wrote about a Calgary woman, jobless, homeless, absolutely down on her luck, staying at a shelter downtown, who came across a purse in a parking lot containing thousands of dollars in cash.

She could have ensured herself a merrier Christmas and a happier New Year.

She didn’t.

Instead, the person whose money was returned gets all that.

When we did the story, the newsroom here asked amongst ourselves, “what would you have done?” I didn’t have an answer but it sure wasn’t “I’d have done the exact same thing” like it very probably should’ve been.

Because I don’t really get what it is to need — I have family and friends in my life who have never once let me fall too far too fast.

If I was ever truly in need, in a panic I’d probably do the selfish thing. Not saying it proudly, just saying it.

Say it or not, I suggest many would do the selfish thing.

But this woman, who had no one to hold her up, didn’t want to elevate herself by knocking down another human being who might have only been those thousands away from destitution herself.

All she wanted was a “thank you.”

Fortunately, the person who had the money returned to them and a bunch of generous others arranged for a reward, we heard, and so she might have herself a happy holiday season after all.

Still, there are many, many more who also need help.

There is ample chance to rally and help,

Read more: http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/12/09/finding-lost-purse-raises-age-old-question