G&G Olson - its the simple things.

     A couple of weeks ago I found a gift card that was in a christmas card holder.  It was one you get from a bank and preload to spend anywhere.  It said $100 from G&G Olson.  When I first found it, I was pretty excited.  I glimmer of luck in a desperate time.  But at the same time I thought - fuck, this is someones christmas present, its $100 from grandma and grandpa that they lost, and Im sure I could get it back to them.

I went to a site on the back of the card and found a way to log in with the card number.  It had someones address and phone number.  I know I could have gotten away with using it...and I could use any help I can get right now, especially with money.  I have 2 school loans, rent, electric, a sudden pile of hospital bills for over $6000, and $14 in the bank.  But I couldn't do it.

     So tonight I found the address and drove 30 minutes in dark, cold silence on a nearly empty tank of gas.  When I got there, I pulled in the drive-thru style drive way.  I saw the living room light on, and the glare of a tv framed by two large chairs slowing moving back and forth.  This was definitely grandma and grandpa.  Somehow they didn't notice the lights or hear the car.  When I rang the doorbell they didn't budge. I could see both of them and couldn't believe they didn't hear the doorbell or notice me standing there.  I rang it again and could clearly hear it from inside, nothing.  I thought maybe they were just ignoring it.  Either because they weren't expecting anyone, or because it was dark and late.  I was determined so I opened the screen and knocked on the door.  It had a large wooden 'grandma and grandpa' sign hanging on it. Then I heard some mumbling and heard the man say something like..."oh, it is the door I thought it was the tv."  They both came to the door.  I showed them the card and explained how I found it in Milwaukee and then found their address.  They seemed a little confused until the woman looked at it.  I pretty much had to help them by suggesting that they must have gotten it as a gift and it was lost.  They were shocked, but happy.  The tall, strong, old man looked at me with concern and sincerity and asked if they could do something for me.  I told him a smile and a thank you was good enough. He immediately shook my hand as the woman smiled behind him.  They both said thank you and the man said "wow, thats just great" a couple times as I walked away.  He stood in doorway and left the porch light on till I got in my car.  Then he stood in the window till I was out of sight.  

     I'm glad I didn't spend that $100 on things.  I still feel like I got to spend it. Its amazing how giving can still be so powerful even when you feel empty and like you have nothing to give.  And it wasn't really even giving, because it was never mine to begin with.