The Lost Ring

Every Friday, Coach reminds us to remove our jewellery prior to playing walking netball, and every Friday some of us are caught out, removing earrings, rings, necklaces, etc. We joke about how one of these days we will lose our jewelry and think: next time I’ll remember to remove it before I leave home. It’s been months, now, though, so I’m a slow learner. Usually I have a zipper-pocketed jacket to put it in, but as it was warm that particular day, I didn’t have a jacket, so I put my ring in the pocket of my bag, along with my keys and phone.

It wasn’t until that evening that I noticed I didn’t have my ring. My husband and I immediately retraced my steps of the day but found nothing. I then posted a note on Tideswell People Facebook Page, and within minutes I had a response. A child had found a ring at the school and turned it in at the office. Of course, it was Friday night by that time so I had to wait until Monday to claim it.

When I got to the school, I was given the ring at the gate. I asked who had found it as I wanted to personally tell them how grateful I was. The woman at the gate responded that she didn’t know, and that even if she did, she wouldn’t be able to tell me. I assume this is to protect student confidentiality.

I then debated how to thank this unknown person. Do I ask Tideswell People if they know who found the ring? But if the child’s family doesn’t want the child’s identity disclosed on Facebook, it may not be in their hands. Do I drop a thank you note off at the school, hoping some administrator will give it to the finder? If I do anything other than a note, is that even allowed? Can that child have sweets, for example? What might they like? Would the parents or adults involved in the child’s life even want the child to be “rewarded” for doing the “right” thing? These are the thoughts that plagued my far-too-idle brain. Paralyzed by my overthinking, I sought advice from friends, but everyone had a different answer as to what they would do.

At the end of the day, I just want to express my gratitude to the people of Tideswell, and to one child, in particular. Not only is the ring a symbol of my 21 years of marriage, but now when I look at it I am reminded that good things happen in Tideswell, even in the face of despair.

Most sincerely,

Laurie W