The lost ring

I don’t own a jewellery box, and haven’t had the desire to acquire one. Not yet.

“If you were left on a deserted island for a month, what would you bring with you?” The little prince looks at me.

The question sounds familiar.

My list looks simple (or complicated?)

  • A careful selection of books by Alice Munro, Virginia Woolf, Haruki Murakami, and Sanmao. (Shall I include James Joyce?)
  • Soft and tender music (no genre specified and it all depends on the mood at the moment when I am packing my suitcase)
  • 90 English Breakfast tea bags (3 cups of tea each day should be enough)
  • A cream white merino wool blanket (king size preferred though I am a little woman)
  • Two cream white dresses made of cotton or linen (loose and beach-friendly)
  • 30 watermelons (grab half watermelon while admiring sunrise, and another half while watching the sun going down)

“What about jewellery? Are you bringing some nice pieces with you?”

  • Oh jewellery! But jewellery is not books, music or watermelons. I can’t read, listen or grab a bracelet.

“So you don’t own a single piece of jewellery?”

  • “Now you are being rude, or at least ignorant. Can’t you spot my necklace with that little sweet diamond on it?”

I lift my head and stretch my neck so he could see my lovely necklace glittering in the sun.

  • “And my wedding ring with that little precious stone attached to it?”

I reach out my hand, but the ring ……

is not on my ring finger.

Here is when the real story begins.

It was a cold Sunday in December 2017. The Christmas lighting and decoration made the city look less dark and depressing. Sitting in the backseat of the car with my eyes closed, I overheard the loose conversation between my daughter and her younger brothers.

Gift bags stuffed with clothes and toys and decorations were squeezed under the seat. Christmas shopping was an arduous task that I could not escape from. Why no one raises a campaign against this Christmas over-consumption?

The car stopped at a red light. I glanced at my hands, but the ring wasn’t there. The heart started sinking, very slowly, into some deep cold water, as if it was preparing itself to deal with the sudden shock. My fingers looked pale and lonely. The mind went blank and I felt dizzy and sick. Where have I left it the last time?

The wind was blowing harder, making an abandoned newspaper fluttering violently on the corner of the street.

Someone would pick it up and keep it. Surely someone would. It was, after all, a diamond ring.

The snowflakes flying in all directions, and the boys started nudging each other. Why couldn’t keep quiet, just for a while?

It must be the yoga session I attended on Friday morning. I removed the ring from my ring finger to do the headstand. It was a failed attempt. After the class I gathered together my things and went straight to the wardrobe. My wedding ring was left on the corner of the yoga hall, and I was well aware that several classes were held in the same location during the weekend.

I rang up the reception and Linda answered the phone. Her Swedish accent was easily recognizable.

She said she hadn’t heard about the ring and no one had handed it to the reception.

“Could you please ask the cleaner if he has spotted it? And please ask yoga teachers who held sessions in that room.” I whispered. There was an awkward silence in the car. I quickly glanced at the rearview mirror. Was he, my husband, upset with my carelessness?

I hung up. The sky was getting darker, and the youngest had fallen asleep. Did it carry a message, the loss of my wedding ring? I gazed at my fingers, feeling a growing unease. It’s gone, I heard someone saying. It was my voice. The thought was unbearable.

I was painting pessimistic scenarios when Linda phoned me back fifteen minutes later. She said someone had just come up with a diamond ring that he found in the yoga hall. Her words sounded distant and surreal. I repeated her message and asked her to confirm it. She did. My wedding ring was recovered.

“Please take note of the name and telephone number of the person who found the ring. I have to thank him in person. Please. I’ll pick up the ring tomorrow morning.” My voice trembled slightly.

Linda passed me the yellow sticky-note together with my ring next morning. He had a nice name.

“Thank you for bringing my wedding ring to the reception. I am grateful for your kindness and thank you from the bottom of my heart.” I texted him.

“You are more than welcome. I believe anyone who found the ring would’ve done the same.” He replied shortly.

I later found out that he’s a doctor in his thirties, who worked as a medical volunteer in 2015, helping boat migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos.

I keep the stick-note in my purse. The handwriting has started fading but the message it conveys will not – kindness, hope and love.

With love,

Isabelle ❤️

 

Author: Isabelle

Content writer / editor & Language advisor

51 thoughts on “The lost ring”

    1. Thanks so much for your thoughtful words, southern writer! Those kind souls really warm the heart. They contribute to make the world a better place.

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    1. I’m glad you liked it, Neil. I made an attempt to combine humour with seriousness, and non-fiction with fiction. Yes, some unanswered questions. Most things are now sorted out in a good way 😊

      Catch up soon!
      Isabelle

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. “The heart started sinking, very slowly, into some deep cold water” — that’s exactly how it feels. I too thought I’d lost a ring of sentimental value, and could feel all that you describe here. Fortunately, I had misplaced it, but the agony I felt until I found it…
    I’m so glad a nice human being found it and brought it back to you!

    And it’s always great to read you. You always leave me with a smile!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thank you Basilike, for sharing your thoughts with me. Yes, “agony” is the word. I can still recall the feeling when I look back.

      It was a popular yoga centre with people coming in and out all the time so it was a miracle that someone found it two days later. And he brought it back to me. I thought such things only happen in films and novels.

      It’s always lovely to hear from you and have a chat, it’s deeply appreciated. Take care. With love, Isabelle

      Liked by 1 person

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  6. I found a woman’s wallet in a grocery cart once. I wasn’t sure what to do. Could I trust the store manager to make an effort to return it? Did I (selfishly) want her to know that I was the one who found it? It contained her driver’s license and credit cards. What if she needed them urgently? I managed to find her phone number in a directory and called her at home. She sounded grateful but also wary. Did I expect something from her in return? Was that why I was calling her? I wondered afterward if I had actually gone too far.

    So glad your story had a happy ending, Isabelle!

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with me, Brad! I understand and resonate with your thoughts. I too have some similar experiences but in different contexts.

      Too much or unexpected kindness might make people feel uncomfortable, or even worse, suspicious about the kindness they receive. It’s sad, isn’t it? We only want to be kind and helpful.

      You hadn’t gone too far, you’re a wonderful human being. If I were the woman, I would’ve been deeply grateful for your kindness.

      Liked by 1 person

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      2. Thanks so much for your kind words, Brad. I’m surprised and touched. You understand me in the way that very few people do. And I must agree, yes I’m sensitive and feel deeply and intensely. Quite tiring sometimes. Thank you.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. My Chinese name is snow because I was born on a snowy day in November 😊

        I replied your comment on the post “This moment right now”, did you receive them (2 comments)?

        Liked by 1 person

  9. This is such a beautiful story, Isabelle. You described the feelings of sickening shock and agony at realisation wonderfully. Something I can definitely relate to. Miracles do happen — but more than that, it perhaps carries a broader message about your marriage and its longevity. What’s yours is yours; one can never lose it, even if you try.
    Lots of love, Vera

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    1. I’ve been thinking of your comment, Vera. You grasped the subtleties of the text. But I’m not surprised, I knew you would.

      I’ve mentioned it before I know, but how lovely it would be to have a chat over a cup of tea, with you.

      Australia has a special meaning to me, maybe one day my tea dream will come true. Take care. Lots of love, Isabelle ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Hey Beautiful Isabelle!!! This is absolutely WONDERFUL!!! I love this. You took us on such a journey and I found myself reading as fast as I could as to find out what happened. You made the experience crystal-clear….we’ve all been there…..what a horrible feeling and then Yay!!! There are SOOOO many lovely, good people in the world that we just don’t hear about enough. Thank You for this and I am SO happy it worked out the way it did!!! Your closing shot is crazy beautiful! I’ve always loved Your other picture as well but I have to say You look somehow brighter/happier in this shot. I had big tears in my eyes at the end of Your tale and then when I saw Your picture complete joy took over. Yay!!! And seeing my little painting in the corner of Your picture up top felt like the sweetest hug from across the world!!! I hope You’re having a wonderful day! I will be writing soon. Much good news to share with You! Things have been lightening up flow is showing up where things seemed blocked for too long. Sending the hugest Hugs to You!!! Cheers!!! 🤗💖🌻🏝😊

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    1. Dear Katy! Thanks so much for your lovely comment. ❤️🌹 I’ll get back to you in the evening. I’m working at the moment. Have a beautiful day! Lots of hugs 🦋🍀🌸

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      1. Ah!!! My pleasure! And I’m happy to hear Your working…I hope it’s a job that makes You very happy to be doing! I’m going to email You in the next couple of days. Yay and hugs!!! 🤗💓😊

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Dear Katy! I’m delighted and moved by your thoughtful comment. Yes things of this kind really made a deep impression on me, and these kind souls make our sometimes troublesome world a better place. Your beautiful painting is a delight for us, it’s in my daughter’s room. Light-purple, which is one of the dominant colours used in the painting, is our favourite colour. I love the serenity and calmness the painting conveys.

      The closing picture was taken last week, in front of the balcony, right before the sun going down. There were some traces of the glory left by the sun. Thank you for the kind words about this image, which made me smile wide.

      I look forward to reading your lovely email, and I want to hear all the amazing news. (No hurry, only write when you’ve got time and are in the writing mood).

      Have a beautiful day Katy, you’re very much in my heart. Sending millions of hugs right back to you!! Love ❤️✨🌹🍀🌸😊

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks Andrew, for taking time to read the post and write the comment. It means a lot to me, even more so after reading your latest post. My vision isn’t good and it makes me appreciate something more – that you took time to send me your warm words. Thank you. Take care.

      Liked by 1 person

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