Some people stumble across stolen bank loot, some people find forgotten dirty magazines on strolls through the woods...this fellow has 'em beat.

Man finds dumped letters to God in Atlantic Ocean

How weird must that have been to find? No matter what his position on faith is, it must feel like a great responsibility has been left on his doorstep.

Even more, though, what a window they open to peoples thoughts and prayers. As someone who thoroughly combs flea markets and ephemera fairs for postcards and correspondence sent throughout our history, I can tell you the temptation to pour over those letters would have been irresistable.

I have two great books on the letters sent to Abraham Lincoln. From the North, the South...even Siam! What an incredible glimpse of a people...the kind you just can't get any other way.

It feels a bit of an invasion to learn some of the details of those letters, but the fellow who wrote to God to help him win the lottery somewhat eases my guilty feelings.

He was going to peddle them on eBay for charity and got some complaints so now he's accept proposals from different clergy to take over guardianship. I had to chuckle though at the way they summed up his dilemma of not wanting the letters to "fall into the wrong hands!"

Actually, I think this would make a great little film if he ultimately decides to chuck it back into the ocean and let la forza del destino take over. They could call it MESSAGES IN A GLAD BAG. *


*Since he's from Philly he'd probably do it here on the Jersey shore, so he'd walk off into the sunset as not too many get prosecuted for illegal dumping in the Garden State.