A Man Stole This Woman’s Wallet, and You Won’t Believe What
Happened Next
By Ellen's Good News | The Good News – Tue, Oct 22, 2013 2:14 PM
EDT
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Jessica Eaves from Guthrie, Oklahoma recently had her wallet stolen
by a man while she was grocery shopping. Most people in that
situation would immediately get the authorities involved, but she
found a way to resolve her problem herself.
"I saw this gentleman down the aisle from me," Jessica tells us.
"He walked behind me, and when I got a couple of aisles over, I
realized my wallet was gone."
"I spotted him in a crowded aisle and approached him," she
continues. "I'm a pretty out-there personality, but I was quiet and
calm."
"I said to him, 'I think you have something of mine. I'm gonna give
you a choice. You can either give me my wallet and I'll forgive you
right now, and I'll even take you to the front and pay for your
groceries."
The alternative? Jessica reporting him to the police.
"He reached into his hoodie pocket and gave me my wallet," she
recalls, adding that the man was extremely grateful for her help
and forgiveness.
"He started crying when we walked up to the front," she says. "He
said he was sorry about 20 times by the time we went from the
pickle aisle to the front. He told me he was desperate."
She spent $27 on his groceries, which included milk, bread,
bologna, crackers, soup and cheese. "The last thing he said was,
'I'll never forget tonight. I'm broke, I have kids, I'm embarrassed
and I'm sorry.'"
"Some people are critical because I didn't turn him in, but
sometimes all you need is a second chance," she adds.
This generosity and desire to help others is a major part of
Jessica's life. Though she's a full-time college student, United
Way employee, wife and mother of four, she still finds time to work
with the Christian Outreach in her community and spends up to 12
hours per week volunteering.
Says Jessica, "My brother and I lost my dad to suicide when I was
seven, and I remember him telling me years ago that no matter what
I become in life, to always, always be kind."