A reminder that there is good in the world

My cell phone rang late (9:45 p.m.) on a 2025 November night. I did not recognize the number, but have learned to pick up as it could easily be in regard to my husband's health. The voice at the other end said he was so and so with the Palmer Police Department.

My mind immediately warned "scam." But I didn't hang up. The "officer" wanted to know if I was missing anything. "Not that I know of," I replied. "Did you do any shopping at the Palmer Fred Meyer store this evening?" Yes. "Did you get home with all of your belongings?" As far as I know. (I purposefully wasn't going to give this guy any information because of previous scamming experiences.) The call continued this way for several more questions.

When he asked me if I had a loved one in the Pioneer Home...my ears certainly perked up and I hesitantly said I did. He said he believed that he had something important of mine. When he asked if I was willing to verify by giving my date of birth, I figured supplying that much info wouldn't matter. After I gave him that, he asked if I had paid for anything at Fred Meyer and if my wallet was in my possession. I said I had paid for groceries and that I would get up and check about my wallet. (I was in my nightgown and already in bed.) As I walked to my office, I had the dreadful feeling that I would not find my wallet in my purse and that this call was legitimate. After checking my purse, I told the officer that my wallet was indeed missing.

I found a chair to sit in as the officer told me that apparently my wallet had been stolen by a man they had been watching for three days. When they drove into the Fred Meyer parking lot about 9 this evening the man ran when he saw the police vehicle and in the process, ditched his backpack. They caught him and retrieved the backpack. Upon opening the backpack, my wallet was right on top. They thought it would contain identification for the man, making their job easier...and were surprised to find it belonged to someone else.

Looking through it, they found my driver's license and one for my husband, who they surmised lived at the Pioneer Home from all the business cards belonging to Pioneer Home staff. My non-specific business card provided my cell phone number and the resulting phone call. He said it seemed that everything in my wallet was intact, including credit card and cash. Relief overwhelmed me.

I said I was so thankful. That I'd had a bad day, and this phone call was putting it over the top. He said he would bring it out to me if that was OK and would stand by while I examined the contents. (I had expected him to say that I could pick it up at the police station the next time I came to Palmer.) He said he would arrive in about 15 minutes, and I said that would be fine as I needed to get dressed.

Keyed up, I thought through every step of my time at Fred Meyer. I had left the Pioneer Home about 6 p.m. after spending a mentally draining day attending the Veterans Day program and reception, then a stressful time conferring with my husband's nurse trying to sort out some medical-related confusion. Then I gave my husband a haircut and helped him eat a late dinner before leaving. My daughter called while I was driving to Fred Meyer, so I called her back as soon as I parked. She had just returned from Italy, and we talked for half an hour. When I went into the store, I only needed one item, so didn't even get a cart. However, every time I shop, I look for things on clearance and sale, so when I saw hot chicken and hot ribs half price, I went back for a cart.

The checkout clerk handed me the receipt, and I placed it and my wallet in the paper bag that was only half full. When she loaded the second bag with the ribs, she had trouble getting it to fit flat into the small cart. She said she didn't want any leakage. I told her it would be OK, but before I left the store, I changed my mind and rearranged the two bags. I tipped the half empty bag on its side (since it contained nothing that could leak) and used it to support the bag with the two hot ribs containers. Little did I know that when I tipped that bag on its side, my wallet fell out. I don't always put my wallet in a bag when I leave a store, but often enough that it isn't unusual. Then, when I unload my groceries at home, I put my wallet back in my purse, but this night I was so tired, I never gave it a thought.

While I waited for the officer to arrive, I cleaned up the kitchen and freshened a flower bouquet. Soon I got a call from a woman at the Police Department saying the officer would be delayed 20 minutes. I found something else to do. He showed up about 11 p.m. We stood just inside my entryway and talked. I told him that I didn't have a "terrible" day...just that it was long and some parts stressful and I didn't have my usual nap, so by evening I was overly tired. I asked if he could tell that I thought he was a scammer and that I was hesitant to answer his questions. He replied that is when he started feeding me specifics. He told me where and how they found my wallet about 9 p.m. We talked about the hours between when I left the store and when they found it.

Did I want to press charges? No, I was just so thankful about getting it back intact. I said the Good Lord was looking out for me tonight...since I wasn't even aware it was missing until he called. (I wouldn't have noticed it missing until the next time I went to pay for something.) I said that someone else could have found it, taken the cash and credit cards and thrown the wallet in the trash.

I told him what I figured happened. At my car, I hurriedly threw both bags in the back seat and then went to get rid of the cart. Since the cart corral was too far out in the parking lot, I decided to "run" it across the drive lane and onto the sidewalk just in front of the windows of the dining area. Another small cart was already there and as I parked mine next to it, I saw what looked like personal belongings in the cart...backpack, take out cup with straw, and something else. I thought it strange for someone to leave all that unattended. As I glanced up, I noticed a man looking out at me from the other side of the glass. I looked away...thinking perhaps he was homeless and was inside getting warm, while keeping an eye on his cart of belongings. (I should have been checking to make sure my cart was empty.) He may have noticed my wallet right away. I had been shown grace and mercy tonight...I could show grace and mercy to the guy who "stole" my wallet. I could even thank him for keeping it "safe" for me.

I thanked the young officer again. I told him that I was not going to tell my kids...that they might worry and/or have ammunition for wondering about me continuing to live on my own. He said they wouldn't hear it from him and he gave me his business card. I also said that it is awful that we live in a world today where the first thing I think upon receiving a phone call from the Palmer Police Department is that it is a scam...when they legitimately wanted to help. He agreed. After he left, it took me a while to calm down.

I keep a gratitude journal, and I knew this incident would become an entry. To have my wallet returned with everything intact (including the $20 "mad money" the officer confirmed they had not found in their search) was a miracle. Why not share the good news, rather than hide my foolish mistake? My kids will learn about this incident right along with my Senior Voice readers.

Maraley McMichael is a lifelong Alaskan now residing in Palmer. Email her at .