A Terrifying Feeling

Have you every gotten that heart pounding, heart racing, blood pressure rising feeling when you've lost something? It is something of significant value whether sentimental or monetary. I know you know what I'm talking about, and I know you've had the feeling. You're on the verge on hitting the panic button.

Well, a few days ago, I had that feeling. I was sitting at my computer making my selections for a just-for-fun NFL football pool in which I participate. I reached up to touch my left ear when I realized I was missing my diamond earring. OH. MY. GOD. My husband bought me those for an anniversary gift. Losing one is not an option. I jumped out of my chair and immediately started to panic. My 6 year old, Emma, started asking me questions about the earring in an incredibly rational manner. Surely, this isn't my Emma, the Queen of Panic. I can't remember when I last touched my ears or even noticed the earring in my ear. I couldn't BEGIN to guess where the earring could have been or when it could have fallen out. It literally could have been a hundred places. Just a few float through the mind, grocery store, Starbucks, down the drain, Emma's school, my car. The list is endless.

I decided to try the bed first, after all, it was the last place I had spent a considerable amount of time. As I walked into the bedroom, I saw something silver and shiny on the floor. A wave of relief enveloped me. Could it be? It wasn't my earring, but it was the back to my earring. Great! It's a start, and I was convinced that my earring was somewhere in the house. I checked the bathroom next. I showered that morning and was thinking that perhaps it fell out while I spent hours doing my hair and makeup. (A girl's gotta look good, right?)

There on floor was my earring. I was never so happy to see something so small in my entire life. I don't care about the monetary value of these earrings (which probably depreciated 70% when my husband walked out of the jewelry store). These earrings represent the years my husband and I have been together. The good times we've shared, the children we've created, and a lifetime of memories. I was scared. Dead in my tracks scared that I had lost something so special to me.

But, in the end, I did learn something about Emma. She came through for me when I was panic stricken. She was calm and collected...something I clearly was not. She focused me. That's my girl!! Thanks, Em!