Last summer, my cousins were visiting from Canada, so my niece, Imani, and I decided to take them to the beach. It was one of those perfect summer days at Robert Moses State Park — clear skies and enough sun to make you forget about your worries. My family and I were ready for a much-needed beach day.

As we found a spot to lay out our blanket and open our umbrella, the feel of sand between my toes and the crash of the Atlantic made the visit that much more enjoyable. But the day took a turn no one expected.

After a few hours at the beach, we packed up and made the drive back home to Farmingville. I was just starting to unwind when I looked at my hand and realized something was missing: my Apple Watch!

I had taken it off before going into the ocean to keep it safe and stashed it in my bag. Or so I thought.

My heart sank. The watch wasn’t anywhere to be found. That’s when my quick-thinking 13-year-old niece said to me, “Auntie, you know you can use the Find My app, right?”

She was right. I grabbed my phone and sure enough, the little icon blinked back at me — from Robert Moses State Park. But what were the odds I’d find it? And was it worth the 45-minute drive back in traffic to learn it indeed was gone?

Without wasting any time, Imani and I drove back to the beach and started combing through the area, retracing every step. It felt a bit like looking for that needle in a haystack. I knew the chances of finding my watch were next to none.

Suddenly, I spotted a few members of the grounds crew nearby and decided to ask for help.

I wasn’t expecting much, but the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. They stopped what they were doing and immediately began helping me continue my search. One of the guys even asked the vendors on the beach, and what do you know — he came back with the watch. Success! I remember his words so clearly: “Is this your watch?”

There it was — safe and sound in his hand.

A stranger had found it in the sand and, instead of pocketing it or looking the other way, this person gave it to a nearby vendor in case the owner came looking — that owner was me.

So, within hours of realizing it was gone, it was now back on my wrist. I was elated. I wanted to hug him but gave him a big thank you instead.

That day could have easily ended in disappointment. Instead, it turned into a reminder of the kindness that still exists in people.

From Imani’s quick thinking to the beach crew’s efforts and a Good Samaritan who did the right thing — Long Islanders showed up in a big way, for me.

It wasn’t just a lost watch that turned up. I also found a sense of community.

Reader Mishka Fox lives in Farmingville.

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