Despite the possibility of sounding overly dramatic, I have always believed in karma. It reminds me of the proverb “what goes around, comes around.” However, I never thought it would occur the way it did or as soon as it did, during a dinner with Benjamin, my father-in-law (FIL).
This man, bless his heart, lives on the theory that the entire universe, in all its cosmic grandeur, revolves around him and is eventually designed to fulfill all of his wants. Karma decided to force him to face the reality on this particular day.
To give you an example, consider this: Linda, my husband Sam, and I went to supper with Benjamin to a local restaurant that Benjamin swore was the “best in the state.” He’s the kind of man who orders four burgers, fries, the whole thing, as if he’s prepared for a food crisis!
Our kind server returned to the kitchen after bringing us our meal and leaving. My FIL had no idea that this would be the start of a legendary tale of instant karma.
A waiter taking orders at a restaurant | Source: Pixabay
Benjamin erupted like a volcano as soon as the returning waiter saw there was a “missing” burger, and we watched in dismay as his face was filled with rage and dismay. My order was four burgers. He cried out, attracting unwanted attention from across the table, “Why are there only three?!”
He received a very kind reassurance from the ever-patient server: “I made sure I put them all in the bag, sir.”
“Are you visually impaired? There are only three left. His patronising voice came over the din of diners in the restaurant.
A waiter is holding four hamburgers on a dish | Source: Freepik
My spouse knew his father would just walk off in a fake anger and create more of a disturbance, so I was about to stand up in support of this poor woman who was just trying to go about her business. He took a gentle hold of my hand and asked me to be silent, sensing that I couldn’t stand to witness anyone treated unfairly.
Sam always has the best instincts, especially when it comes to his father, so I pulled back and sat back to watch the show.
A horrified woman responds, but the man standing next to her remains calm | Extracted from Pexels
Acknowledging that Benjamin was among those unreasonable patrons who insisted on being correct all the time, the waiter apologized. I apologize, Sir,” she said. “I’ll get you another one,” she replied, but it was clear from her tone that she had brought all four.
While the innocent woman went to get my avaricious FIL a fifth burger, we sat there and stared at him with scorn, but we didn’t say anything to avoid making things worse. The waiter’s idea seemed to satisfy Benjamin momentarily, as a dark cloud of a sneer spread across his face.
He was completely unaware that he was going to receive an enormous dose of humility from the universe!
A waiter on his way to bring a burger and a tray of fries | Source: Pixabay
After a while the smugness turned to pure horror when we got home. My FIL’s face turned as pale as a sheet when he realized his wallet was gone! His mind kept returning to the restaurant as he wildly glanced about, exacerbating the tension.
My spouse and I were encircled by silent thoughts with knowing looks.
Oddly enough, the same waiter responded when my FIL called the establishment in a desperate attempt to get help! Her statement that she had located his wallet was so calm that you could really feel it! But there was a big twist to the story that he hadn’t expected.
A happy server on her phone | Source: Freepik.
The waiter informed him of the peculiar policy of the restaurant—one that my FIL had always made fun of on the walls and menus—which said that any misplaced things that were not claimed within an hour would be donated to a good cause!
The realization struck him like a freight train! As soon as he hung up, he told us, “I think they gave away all my money, we need to go back.” When I watched him in such anguish and terror, to be honest, I felt like justice had been served, but that was only the beginning!
We came upon the height of irony when we hurried back to the restaurant. The waiter brought him an envelope from the foundation and congratulated him for his “kind donation” with a triumphant smile on his face. He then gave him a “free beverage.”
There were receipts inside, proving that several homeless people had their dinners purchased that evening with the money in his wallet!
Silence descended around him, as a rare moment of humility replaced the traditional pomp and bustle. My spouse used this opportunity to politely bring up his father’s behavior, which started a sincere conversation about thankfulness, respect, and the consequences of our deeds.
When we reached the safety of the car, he reminded him, “Dad, you know what you did to that waiter was wrong, and that’s probably why you forgot your wallet at the restaurant.” “You always think there won’t be any repercussions for anything you do,” Sam remarked.
He said, “You know that’s part of the reason why Mom isn’t with us today,” tears welling up in his eyes.
My spouse was talking about how Benjamin came to live with us when his wife, Sam’s mother, filed for divorce and seized everything. Diana was a kind and kind woman who would have given anything to Benjamin, but my FIL cheated on her on multiple occasions.
When she finally got tired of his entitlement, she took him to the cleaners in court, sharing a folder and footage of years of private investigations she’d done on her husband to prove his guilt. She’d known throughout his marriage about his infidelity but only confronted him once or twice, where he pompously told her:
“I am the MAN in this household, and I don’t have to answer to YOU!”
However, he definitely “answered” to her when she filed for divorce and won everything before selling it all and relocating to another country. Only Sam and I had contact with her via texts and sometimes video calls.
It was a painful yet cathartic experience for all, especially for my FIL, who had never acknowledged facing the consequences of his entitlement in such a direct and immediate way. The incident at the restaurant and Sam’s heartfelt confrontation marked a turning point, not just for my FIL but for our family as a whole.
The lesson from karma was a clear and profound one that led the man who once embodied entitlement and arrogance to vow to change. He began a journey of volunteering and connection with those he had overlooked—the homeless people who’d benefited from his loss.
Our family dinners, once tense affairs, transformed into sessions of meaningful conversation and laughter. My FIL, previously the source of strife, became the catalyst for unity, embodying the transformative power of kindness and empathy.
So, there it is: A story of how a misplaced wallet and a “missing” burger taught us all the invaluable lesson that no act of kindness, no matter how small, goes unnoticed by the universe. Karma, in its most poetic form, reminded us that humility and compassion pave the path to true fulfillment. And for my FIL, it was a lesson learned not a moment too late.
While Linda’s story about how karma finally knocked some sense into her FIL shows how sometimes it takes time for people to get the message, here’s another story that will make you halt before doing something stupid that you’ll regret later.
Sarah’s Story about Bad Karma against Her Dad That Will Make You Think Twice before Acting Out
In a classic tale of dinner drama turned karma jackpot, a Reddit user, let’s call him John, recounts a meal out with his then-fiancée, Sarah, and her less-than-stellar dad. Picture this: a cozy restaurant scene, our couple, and the dad who’s had a history of favoring his new family over Sarah.
When Sarah asks for a to-go box for her leftovers, Dad offers to pay the bill as the evening draws to a close. At first, this seems like a kind gesture, but then dad makes a snide comment about wasted fridge space. John enters as always the dazzling hero.
Hey, don’t worry about your fridge, just leave her alone.
But my goodness, that pisses Dad off! With a dramatic “FINE!” he storms out, tossing the bill at John in a tantrum. Sarah is irritated with John for stirring things up and feels trapped in the midst. This is when the universe chooses to add some spice to the situation.
The waiter informs them that they are in the middle of a “every bill’s a winner” contest while they wait for the bill, tensions running high and Dad watching from outside. Normally, the queue is an appetizer or free drink, but not this evening. John and Sarah won a vacation for four to sunny Florida tonight, all thanks to karma’s decision that Dad’s leaving was the ideal time for a big prize win!
Our pair so discovers that, on occasion, sticking up for those you love can not only strengthen your bond but also possibly win you a trip. Regarding Dad, let’s hope he’s gained some insight into kindness and that, just perhaps, he will receive a postcard from Florida.
