Editor’s note: Recently in The Voice, the announcement was made of the death of the conductor of the column, Ask Grandpa, which provided readers with 503 weeks of sage advice, humor, and continuity. Below is the repeat of the April 15, 2021 column. The Voice will continue to offer previous columns. We invite special requests of previous columns.
Grandpa,
I found a wallet that had (two figures) in cash in it. There were several credit cards and other stuff. I found the man’s address, but not a phone number. I drove out to the man’s address and returned the wallet to him. He acknowledged that all the credit cards and cash were still in the wallet, nothing was missing. He thanked me very nicely, but offered no reward for the return or my effort to get it back to him. For that, I should have just taken the cash and given him back everything else. Why are some so snotty about doing what is right when a person goes out of the way to be helpful?
Grandpa says: Wow! You have me very confused with this letter. You did what was right to return the wallet with contents intact. From the paltry sum you told me was in the wallet, you expected to be given a reward. If that is all the man had, it is highly possible that he had to choose between giving you a reward and buying fuel to get to work. He thanked you graciously. You inferred that he was snotty about giving a reward. You had the wrong motive in mind, pal. Be grateful for the opportunity to be honest and helpful. Remember, Karma works both ways.
Grandpa,
I am devastated. Yesterday was my (number withheld by Grandpa) wedding anniversary. My wife had told me that she wanted to hold a small dinner party to celebrate. I agreed and, per her instruction, I left everything up to her. I bought a diamond broach to give her at dinner. The table was set for six, telling me that there were to be two other couples.
Only one other person showed up, a man who is a co-worker of hers. At dinner she announced that she is expecting. I was thrilled and delighted because we have been planning a family for a couple of years and have not been able to conceive. Dinner was a festive affair. Over desert I commented that it is a shame that the other three never arrived or called. I would have enjoyed sharing this evening with others. She told me that I would not have because she has another announcement. She had not invited anyone except (name withheld by Grandpa) who happens to be the father of her baby and she is divorcing me to marry him. I thought she was kidding me until he chimed in and confirmed it. Then they got up and left the house. She has not come home yet. She has been gone well over 12 hours. I am tempted to call the police and file a missing person report. She is not answering her phone. I have no idea how to reach this man.
Grandpa says: Now is the time for you to call a friend who can come over and help you think rationally. Don’t make any decisions to hurt her, or him. Contact a good attorney to represent you. You need some strong legal help.