Found it, found it, found the diamond...

We were not even a full week away from our 10th anniversary. I had read books to Lorena in our bed, and then played, roughly with her, on the bottom of the stairs. That is when I realized that the diamond was missing from my engagement ring, as I felt something scratching me. I immediately let out a big "Help! Pablo, come!". I am sure there was a sense of urgency in my voice, but I think it did not sound as if someone had broken a leg.

I stayed looking on the steps, with my eyes and passing my hand over the carpet. Nothing. Lorena was trying to help. Pablo had run to get some flashlights. Nothing on the stairs, I went back to the bed, nothing. I made Lorena undress, and checked my clothing as well, nothing. I must add that our house was spotless as it had been cleaned in the morning: no distracting clutter on the floor, freshly vaccuumed; and I was positive I had the stone in the morning.

We had been about to leave out for dinner when I realized. Arantxa was barely aware than anything was going on, since she was immersed in her books in the family room. Lorena, on the other hand, really tried to help. I found myself alternating from being annoyed at her when she got in the way, or moved things roughly; and melted by her genuined desire to help.

Now, bare in mind that we live in a house with 2 small girls. I cannot tell you how many fake jewels, glitter, or otherwise sparkly small items we found. We had countless moments of false hope. Pablo had looked in the car. I had gotten back to the few places I had been in before (Thursdays I mostly chaufeur kids around. The 3 of us leave the house at 7:30 am, and we all get back around 3:30, many miles later).

All of this time my mind kept racing, but my emotions were kept at bay: "we will have to quit soon. Once the girls are in bed, we can extend a dark towel in our carpet, and empty the folded clothes from the bins. We'll sleep in the guest room..."

Eventually, it was clear that it was time to quit looking. We had been searching for 1:15 hours. I was going to take a last peek in Mei aka as Pablo's car (the one I had been driving due to snow), but he took over as I got the girls ready in Satsuki, i.e. my van. (Yes, we love My Neighbor Totoro movie). Pablo exclaimed, "found it" and then "maybe not, I think it is another of the girls' jewels". But it was not, it was the real deal. He had found it under the driver's seat. Phew!

That is when all the emotions hit with full force. I must say that all the time that we were looking I was so relieved that it had not been my fault: I hadn't misplaced the ring, or forgotten it someplace. One of the little "legs" holding it, had broken off. We went to dinner, and it took me several hours to calm down. We were both exhausted when we went to bed!

At the end, I could just think of the Kindermusic song, both girls, but especially Arantxa, used to love "Found it, found it, here is the diamong ring...". Oh, and in the middle of the search, the song that kept popping to my mind was "Hush Little Baby"; and thinking that the way the economy is going "if that diamond ring gets lost... nobody is getting you another one...".

Oh, and I want my mom to read this and remind me of a similar story. I just remember a few details of when this daugher of their friends had come to my apartement with a tape of music from their choir. Pablo and I were engaged and looking at choirs for our wedding. I think this woman also had just lost her diamond, and I remember that she had also found it in the car. My memory might be failing me, though, it sounds too similar to our own story!