January 17, 2023 at 2:54 p.m.
The Missing Wedding Ring
Some might suggest temporarily losing items, even permanently, is due to the stage of life or age. However, I have been doing it for years and am well aware of others who, no matter the stage of life or age, share the same forgetfulness and frustration.
At the end of December, we chose to trade in our 2017 Honda Odyssey for a 2023. All was going well until I decided to remove some noticeable items between the driver's seat and the console of our 2017. (In retrospect, I don't really know why other than you never know what might be hidden after years of driving, maybe jewelry or coins.) In order to do so, I removed my wedding band due to the diamond in the center causing problems in a narrow space.
I only found a little trash, nothing of value, and I promptly threw it in the trash can not far from our van. I returned looking for my ring, one purchased years ago from Jackie Tallent at the Gold Nugget. It wasn't there! Soon, there came the realization and a sinking feeling that I likely had thrown it in the trash can with the other items.
As I was approaching the trash can, I was thinking chances would be slim for the ring to be on top, that I would need to dump all the trash. If that was the case, then people would be wondering why since the trash can was in a prime and visible location. Possibly, someone would expect an explanation.
While peering in at the top of the trash, I saw a shiny object. Sure enough, it was my ring! I was relieved yet knew it could drop deeper if mishandling. Fortunately, I was able to retrieve it on my first attempt. My smile was wide as I held it up for my wife to see. She was sitting in our new van looking through the bags of other things from our former van thinking the ring possibly would be in one. Her head was shaking as if thinking I had been very lucky which was also quite clear to me.
While sharing the story with our salesman, he shared one that topped mine. At the office, he had placed his wedding band in a pocket of his pants before applying lotion to his chapped hands after removing snow. It was not there when checking later. While heading toward the family's driveway one night, his car lights hit something shiny. Immediately, he stopped with his lights still on the object, got out, and picked up his ring while being extremely relieved and thankful. His ring had been deposited by a melting snowbank formed by snowplows at the edge of the driveway after five days of melting!
Jackie Tallent's second home has been the Gold Nugget for 44 years. I asked her about how often a customer has come in with a missing wedding band story. She responded with the following wisdom:
“It happens at least once a year, more likely several times a year. In fact, my husband, Dan, has even been one of those customers. I always stress that the ring is just a symbol, that true love endures all. Dan and I have now been married 35 years.”
In the whole scheme of things, temporarily or permanently misplacing things pales to lasting relationships. We may be somewhat negative with ourselves or others when it happens, but we always need to remember the importance of faith, hope, and love. And Jackie, thanks for reminding us.
