I borrowed an umbrella from my Airbnb host in Kyoto.

Completely forgot to return it when I checked out and only realized once I was already on the train to Osaka.
I felt horrible because it wasn’t some cheap convenience store umbrella either.
I messaged the host apologizing over and over.
She replied:
“No problem. Enjoy the umbrella, it’s yours now.”
I told her I’d mail it back.
She said:
“Please don’t. Shipping costs more than the umbrella. Just keep it and think of Kyoto whenever it rains.”
I still insisted on returning it.
Then she said:
“Okay… but I have a better idea.”
“Next time you see someone caught in the rain without an umbrella, give them this one instead.”
“And tell them to do the same after.”
“Maybe the umbrella can travel across Japan helping people.”
I remember just staring at my phone smiling.
Two weeks later, in Hiroshima, it started pouring.
I saw a woman standing under a store awning holding a crying baby. No umbrella. She looked completely stressed.
So I walked over and handed her the umbrella.
I tried explaining the story in broken Japanese. She understood enough.
She kept trying to give it back but I told her:
“When you’re done with it, pass it to someone else who needs it.”
She bowed like ten times and rushed off into the rain with her baby.
I got soaked walking back to my hotel.
Didn’t even care.
Sometimes I still wonder where that umbrella is now.
Hopefully still traveling.
Hopefully still helping someone.