SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Jed Worline says sometimes the holidays are difficult for him and his family, after suddenly losing his brother Josh 15 years ago.
As a pastor in Teays Valley, he is constantly preaching to his congregation about hope, but knows that sometimes it can be difficult to find.
But recently a complete stranger reminded him of the good in the world.
“You want to think the best of people, but lately that’s all you hear is the negative and bad stuff that’s happening,” Worline said. “To see another human put aside all of his selfish ambitions, wants and desires, to be so full of character and integrity.”
About 20 years ago, Josh had been traveling in Ohio for work and misplaced his class ring. Jed remembered the story but had forgotten about it over time.
Out of nowhere, he got a phone call from a man named Harry Payton who said he had found the ring while out using a metal detector in a park in Ohio.
“You have to be excited to be able to bring something back to somebody that you know that they’ve lost,” Payton said.
Harry had tried to find Josh to return the ring, only to learn through Facebook that he had passed away. Instead, he tracked down Jed and said he wanted to send it to him, not even allowing Jed to pay for shipping or his trouble.
“He had mentioned to me he says it’s rather odd that you called me today, because today is Josh’s birthday and I said ‘well oh, this is meant to be,” Payton said.
For Christmas, Jed was able to present the ring to his mother and captured the moment in a video, which took off on social media.
“When I told her it was Josh’s class ring, you could just see the shock,” Worline said. “They got a sparkle that has been missing for a long time.”
Jed says it was an incredible moment to share with his family and others online.
“To get this back, it was like closure,” Worline said.
Long lost friends began reaching out and sharing their own stories and memories of Josh.
For Jed, the gesture from a complete stranger means more to him than any gift under the tree, and now they have one new priceless member to add to their family.
“I think you can find hope anywhere,” Worline said. “It just depends on where you look.”
Many people want to put 2020 behind them and move forward and as a pastor, Jed says it can be easy to focus on resolutions. But, he says restoration is just as important.
“Hope is contagious,” Worline said. “Especially with younger kids when they see this. My kids in the room, my nieces and nephews that saw it, they know how to treat people. They know if it’s not yours, you return it, and this is why because it can mean a lot to someone.
A lesson for all -- on humanity, graciousness, and compassion from one to another.
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Class ring found and reunited with family 20 years later - WSAZ
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