Lost Treasures

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We’ve all heard variations of this question:  If your house were on fire, what would you grab? Some people imagine the house literally burning and answer with a wise response, such as: “I’d get the kids, the husband (or wife), any other people, and possibly the pets.
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Others know that most of the time this is a figurative question, and think about their most prized possessions. Nowadays, most of us can’t decide on one or two items. We’re a society who has indulged ourselves with all sorts of treasures.  Maybe the question should be something like: “If you have an hour to pack your vehicle with things from your home that you will never return to, what would you take?”
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My list has varied over the years. One constant though, is photos & video, and journals.
Okay, that’s two… or three.
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Other things that have been on the list are:  expensive jewelry, inherited jewelry, certain books, and letters. (List subject to change as life goes on.)
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I don’t wear a lot of jewelry. The only jewelry that I’m sure to have on is my wedding band and engagement ring set. I like it; and also, after 17 years, it’s hard to take off. A little twisting and tugging is required to get it over my knuckle. I’ll also put on small earrings if it’s a “power my face and wear lipstick” day.
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When I get “dressed up,” I search the jewelry boxes for more. Sometimes, I choose a small, delicate ring that has a center diamond with a line of smaller diamonds on each side of it. (If you know what style it is, let me know.) It probably doesn’t get much attention, but that’s not why I wear it. I wear it because it’s pretty and it’s from “the family jewels.”  (Burglars, you can bypass my house. My family jewels would be a waste of your time before you go to prison.)
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Anyway, it belonged to my paternal aunt, who gave it to my mother, who gave it to me. And guess what I did? I lost it.
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Darling Husband and I were on our way to a Sunday luncheon at a historic home. On the way, we stopped at a strip shopping center to drop off a package. I had taken the ring off to put lotion on my hands. The ring was placed in my lap, on my skirt.  (I would figure this out later.) When DH pulled up to the curb, I got out of the car to run to the door of the business, got back in, and off we went.
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When we were on the interstate, I thought about the ring; however, I couldn’t remember if I’d left it at home or not. Sometimes, I put the last minute lotion on in the house, and that’s why it wasn’t clear to me. Rushing and stress was a factor too, of course. I hoped it was in the car.
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Sooo, we continued on. Surprisingly, I was able to enjoy the meal and the socializing, though the thought of the ring stayed with me.
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When we returned home, I looked on the shelf where the lotion is kept. No ring. I looked on the floor. No ring. I returned to the car to search for it again. No ring.
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Then, I got the sickening feeling. I’d lost my precious ring. Should I tell Mom?
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My whole mood was sour. I couldn’t blame anyone but myself. DH felt sorry for me and asked if I thought it was back on the sidewalk of the shopping center.
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“If it is,” I said, “It’s gone now. Someone has surely found it.”
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I began to think of other lost treasures. For three years, I couldn’t find the video of my oldest daughter’s first moments of life outside of her mother. I couldn’t find the wedding video. I couldn’t find the video of my honeymoon trip to Hawaii. Fortunately, two of these were found. Ironically, the Hawaii video was probably, unknowingly, used to tape the birthday of first daughter. I can’t help but laugh. Maybe I’m wrong and it will show up some day.
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I thought about the story of my friend B. who took off her onyx ring at a store to try on another ring. She forgot to put her heirloom back on and it has never been seen again. It, too, was a gift from her mother, who’d received it from her mother. I related.
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Still moping around, DH suggested I take the metal detector to the shopping center and search for it. I thought it would be a waste of time, but must admit that I also pictured myself as one of those people searching the sand at the beach. The look on my face must have revealed my thoughts. Sooo… guess who went? Darling Husband. And guess who came back with my ring? Darling Husband.

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He found it; safely tucked away in the crack of the sidewalk.

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What treasure have you lost? How often do you think about it?