In the 1970s, Claude Soffel was just a kid. One day, he was standing outside the Museum of Natural History in New York City when another kid approached him.
The bully stole his bus pass, but was quickly arrested by an undercover cop. That bully's name was Michael Goodman. Michael was booked and arrested on the spot. Years later, when Michael turned 18, that same cop called him and reminded him to stay out of trouble. That small encounter would forever change his life.
Now in his 50s and with a son of his own in eighth grade, a chance encounter allowed Michael to teach his child what was right. Michael was reading a thread on Facebook about the closure of a local bagel shop.
Commenters were leaving notes of kindness. That's when Michael saw the name: Claude Soffel. It was the kid he had robbed all those years ago. He knew he had to apologize.
Michael wrote: "I have never forgotten the incident or your name (it has sort of haunted me a bit throughout my life)… I was trying to look tough to impress some guy who didn't believe I was in a gang, pretty frickin' stupid, huh? So once again I'm truly sorry for taking your bus pass back then… Peace and love to you my brother."
Claude instantly knew who he was from over three decades ago.
"Michael A. Goodman, clearly your [sic] a 'bigger man' today. Wow. Memory is a funny thing, I recognize your name now, as well. So, apology accepted," he wrote.
The things we do when we are unwise children don't define us, but we can always take responsibility and make amends.
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