Lost Keys

Today, my mom and I took the boys to the beach to play for a while. We headed straight for the ocean to test the water, chased some birds for a while, then planted ourselves in the sand to dig for treasures. Only interrupted once by a trip to the potty, the boys and I spent about two hours playing in the sand. When Bushia made it back to our spot from her walk, we gathered our toys and it was at that moment that I realized....I HAVE NO CAR KEYS!
Not surprising, whatsoever. It is almost expected of me to loose something important. However, loosing my car keys, in the sand, bathroom, boardwalk, somewhere...the only set I have with me. Oh great. Not cool. No panic yet. I finger through the sand where we've been sitting. Mention something about it to the boys, perhaps they buried them for fun?!? We casually stroll back towards my mother to check the stroller (although I am POSITIVE they were in my pocket). Check that...I was casual, the boys were screaming, "Bushia, do you have the car keys? Mom lost her car keys!" I surveyed the stroller, walked back out to our spot on the beach, back up to the restrooms, retraced our first stroll down the beach, chasing the birds, stopped again at our spot, and walked back to the stroller once again. This is not good.
Okay, stay calm. Think positive. What are my options? Crap, I have to call Eric and tell him I'm a moron. Not looking forward to that. What else can I do? One more lap of retracing my steps....call Eric. "Hey, it's me. I need the number to OnStar." OnStar unlocks my doors. Still no keys to drive. Call Eric. "I need the numbers to some lock smiths in San Diego." Get a lock smith. $295. Crap. There goes a chunk of the vaca budget. Begin the wait. Stop lifeguard outside 7-11. Follow him to tower. Check lost and found and find 22 sets of car keys...none of which are mine. Decide I'll try back later after I get my new key made for $295. Begin walk of shame back to the car.........approaching an old man......kinda scary looking......carrying a set of keys.......COULD IT BE??????
"Did you just find those keys?"
"Yeah, in the sand down the beach. They yours."
Grab strange man in a loving embrace slightly lifting him off the ground. "Oh my gosh. You are my hero! I thought they were gone forever!"
Some more explanation from him. Gibberish, tears, and more hugging from me. He tells me, "You just made my day!"
To which I replied, "You just made my life!" Extreme? Probably....but it seemed so appropriate at the time.
It was a wonderful to be reminded of the genuine goodness of humanity. He could have easily passed my keys and left them lie, but instead he walked them almost 500 yards down the beach to the guard tower. What a wonderful man!