Kaleidoscope

Out for a morning walk, I stumbled upon a red and gold leaf, glistening with dew lying in the middle of a field. As I circled the track for the second time I was surprised that it hadn’t moved since the winds had picked up. It was almost like the leaf was calling out to me. On my third go-round, I stepped off the asphalt track and onto the lush grass, heading straight for that beckoning leaf.

As I drew closer, I realized something was attached to it at its base. Something that sparkled and caught the sunlight in a brilliant kaleidoscope of colors. I crouched and lifted the leaf and to my surprise, saw the child’s earring attached. That explained the sparkling. It was a small diamond stud in a silver setting. I knew that whoever had attached the earring would be back looking for it.

Now, I was faced with a dilemma. Should I leave the earring where I found it, hoping its owner would return? Or should I take it with me, and perhaps post a note on the park sign? The decision weighed heavily on me, as I pondered the consequences of each choice.

I took the leaf and earring and moved to the playground, sitting on the first swing I came to. Keeping my feet on the ground, I moved the swing back and forth, twirling the leaf in one hand. I can remember the conversation with my mother about being careless with expensive jewelry and about being responsible, so I didn’t take things for granted as an adult. How much I missed my mother and her sage advice, shaped me into adulthood. I sighed, ready to make another loop on the track before heading home.

Hitting the track, I heard voices headed in my general direction. A tween and her mother marched toward the field and instinctively I knew they had come to collect the ring.

The young girl took off on a dead run. “I left it right here,” she said, turning in a circle, searching the ground for the leaf and ring.

“Seriously, Tiffany? How do you think you’re going to find it? It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

Tiffany stared at her mother. “I attached it to a leaf. I’m not a complete idiot.”

That started the argument between mother and daughter and I just couldn’t stand there and watch, though I was tempted to do so.

“Hello,” I said approaching them. “I believe you might be looking for this.” I pulled the leaf out of my pocket and held it up.

“My ring!” the girl cried, rushing to take it out of my hand. “I told you it would still be here.”

“Sarah,” the mother said extending her hand. “Thank you for finding Tiffany’s ring.” She turned her attention to her daughter. “Tiffany, what do you say?”

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. I'm Cindy. I saw the earring reflecting the sunlight and it caught my attention. I was just trying to decide if I left it behind or left a note saying I’d found it.

“Good thinking,” Sarah said.

I nodded and smiled, then turned away and headed for home.


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