The Pearl Ring

The following is a TRUE STORY~
The ring was missing. My beloved pearl ring wasn't where I had carefully placed it,... place it to sit for more than a week. I couldn't remember going back for it.... did I pick it up without thought and misplace it? Not likely, as would have put it back on my finger. I wouldn't walk around with a ring in my hand. But...I had to consider all possibilities since it wasn't where it had been placed.

A sickening feeling came over me. The big search began. A entire morning of searching and after that continued, time permitting, for a few days. After all possibilities were exhausted, it expanded to the most unlikely places. Finally I had to accept the fact that through my recklessness, it was gone forever. Sitting down in total despair, I pondered and I grieved. My pearl ring was gone. This sadness went on for days, and I couldn't talk about it, so then it became my secret loss.

The pretty pearl ring is older then my children and a most favorite and cherished gift my husband had brought from Japan. How would I tell him? How could I tell the daughter who has asked for it to be hers one day?

How did this happen?
Was on my gardening day. When slipping on garden gloves, oops, my pearl ring. Not wanting to go back into the main house, easily it was off and placed in a 'safe place.' I selected the perfect 'safe place'...right in the middle of the game table. It would be in full sight...I couldn't walk by without seeing it there. To me, I had I placed it in safe keeping, but little did I realize, it was left open and vulnerable.

Finally, I decided to tell my husband who came up with a possible answer. We had a service call for the air-conditioner and the service man was alone downstairs. I then had a anaser. The ring had been taken.

I remembered seeing the man, an older guy who didn't say much and didn't stay long. Anger whelmed up to think we had been robbed. Should I to call the company he worked for and make a complaint? I thought about him. He was old... beyond the years of most guys working in this capacity. Conclusion was that he would be fired and I chances were good, the ring wouldn't be returned, even if in fact he took it.

Weeks went by and I still grieved over my loss. The pearl ring had been a part of my life for so long. Self flagellation was on going, just couldn't forgive myself. I wanted to find the man and ask him for my ring. I called pawn shops. Back to making a complaint, but ...I felt the older man needed his job perhaps worse than I needed the pearl ring.

FINALLY one night, I realized I had to let this go. I thought of that man again. I visualized that he needed a gift for his wife. In my minds eye, she was elderly and poor. I visualized he gave her the ring. I thought her to be so, so happy and admiring her treasure. I thought then of all that I have...and suddenly there was a sense of peace.
I closed my eyes that night and prayed that she would wear it in happiness as I had and suddenly there came to me a happiness .... a happiness felt deep inside. It was as if the ring was a gift to her and from that viewpoint I could be ok with this. This made me feel glad. I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

The next morning, I walked into the bathroom and there, right in the middle of the dressing table, in full view, was my RING.

Did someone come in during the night and place it without us knowing? No way~ They couldn't get passed the dog. We couldn't believe our eyes. It had been missing for 3 WEEKS.

Today the Oprah Show had guest talking about how to bring positive good into your life and the book "The Secret" and she went to say through the power of positive thinking and forgiveness, miracles happen. I'M A BELIEVER.
iJune