Picture the idyllic streets of Orem, Utah. A place so peaceful it actually calls itself "Family City USA." Back in 1990, a handful of young punks threatened the peace and security of Orem by vandalizing the bathroom partitions in Bonneville Park. What sort of vandalism? We don't know. It could have been anything from a scratched-in phone number to a fully operational glory hole. But in the lack of clearer information, we're going to assume glory hole.
After carving the perverted hole, this group of vicious friends departed, laughing their heads off. They believed they had gotten away with the perfect crime, and they were right. But one of the culprits was haunted by the criminal's greatest enemy: conscience. Consumed by the sense of morality that is deeply ingrained in every Utahn's soul, this individual was gradually driven mad by guilt over the course of 25 long years. And then, when he or she (probably he) could take no more, an opportunity for redemption struck. The culprit sent an apologetic letter to the City of Orem Government, which posted it to the town's Facebook page:
The letter said:
Many years ago in my youth (1990), I and a couple of friends vandalized the bathroom partitions at Bonneville Park on 800 W. I regret the actions of my youth but need to make right the financial burden I created. I am including money that would or should be able to cover that expense. I recognize this is long ago and forgotten, but please accept this payment. If you don't know where to spend or deposit the funds possibly accept it as a donation to help less-fortunate or under-privileged youth cover costs for sports camps or playing in the youth sports leagues. Hopefully you have something like that. Thanks for letting me make this right.
Enclosed with the letter was $500 cash. Of course it's much too late to repair the bathroom partitions (that glory hole is probably a local landmark by now), but the town says the money will be used to help build the town's first "all-abilities playground." It's a worthy cause for a worthy gesture.
This story has been inspiring people in Orem and the rest of the world. It's a refreshing reminder that it's never too late to "make it right." And while it's possible that the $500 came out of royalties earned from 25 years of operating a successful glory hole, we'll choose not to consider that possibility. Why tarnish the moment?