The Lost & Found of Life
I saw a woman wandering across the street today,
She looked bewildered so I tried to help her find her way;
I walked right up beside her, and I said when I was near,
"Excuse me Ma'am, you look so lost. How can I help you dear?"
Disoriented, she replied, "How kind of you to ask."
"I'm looking for the Lost & Found … it's not an easy task!"
"The Lost & Found?" I scratched my head, "I've never seen one here."
But as I spoke … behind her, noticed something had appeared.
I swore the shop behind her, was a little bar and grill,
But now the sign said "Lost & Found" … I felt a sudden chill;
I tried to shrug it off, and said, "Is this the one you meant?"
She turned and gasped, "I guess it is!" and in the store she went.
I followed her into the shop that used to be the bar,
I don't know why… it just seemed strange, a little too bizarre;
But as I entered, sure enough, the place had been transformed,
I saw the lady moving 'tward a clerk in uniform.
He stood behind a counter, in a coat of brilliant white,
The crest upon his jacket said "The Lost & Found of Life";
He was a gentle, peaceful man, with long and graying hair,
His face a little wrinkled, and a smile that seemed sincere.
He greeted us so warmly, in a kind and caring tone,
And instantly, I felt at ease, unlike I'd ever known;
He said, "You're my first customers! Come in and look around."
"I'm sure I have what you've been missing, in my Lost & Found."
I glanced about the shop expecting ordinary things,
I looked for socks and mittens, scarves and shoes, perhaps some rings;
He gave a little laugh, and said "We specialize, my dear."
He motioned to the back, and smiled, "You'll find things over here."
The woman I had entered with, walked over and she sighed,
"That's it!" she cried, and rummaged through the box deep down inside;
I heard them whisper back and forth, I stayed there in my thoughts,
Not wanting to intrude upon her search for what she'd lost.
They talked for quite a while, and then she hugged the gentle man,
I watched her as she walked toward the door with empty hands;
She smiled and said, "It's your turn now," and thanked me for my help,
With purpose in her stride, she squeezed my hand and then walked out.
I turned to see the clerk who motioned me to walk his way,
I uttered, "You don't understand, I've lost nothing today."
"We've all lost something." he replied, "I'd like to help you dear."
"So many feel quite overwhelmed, throughout the world, I fear."
He lifted up the lid and rummaged through the things within,
Just little slips of paper, written all by hand, in pen;
I read with grief and sorrow … all the simple words inscribed,
My tears began to fall, "I've lost them all …" I meekly cried.
I read of "hope" and "optimism", "confidence" and "will",
And though I hadn't known it, found I recognized more still,
I'd lost my true "convictions", saw the "trust" that I had banned,
My "freedom" and my "sanctuary", "faith" in fellow man.
"What you have lost," he said to me, "Is tangible and real."
"You have a right to grieve that loss ... you have a right to feel."
"It's natural to be dismayed, for these are troubled times,"
"And all I ask is that you try to keep an open mind."
"Go on about your business. Live your life as you do best."
"Support the good in others, and remember … life's a test."
"There is no magic formula to help you through these days."
"Just focus on the good and share your heart in other ways."
"Don't cower in the shadows. Do not hide beneath your tears."
"That's what they want, don't let them win … be strong amidst these fears."
"Believe that good shall overcome, and put your faith in God,"
"And trust that peace will someday come, both here and far abroad."
I gave the man a grateful hug, and felt my sorrows lift,
I hadn't known I'd lost so much, and thanked him for this gift;
His faith and reassuring words still echoed in my mind,
As I walked 'tward the door and saw an ever-growing line.
The people looked bewildered, so I walked up to one man,
I smiled and said, "It's your turn now," and gently squeezed his hand;
He looked at me and sighed, "I don't know how or why I'm here."
I gave this fellow man a hug, and said, "I do, my dear."
I walked out with a purpose, armed with strength to persevere,
To "live" this life with trust and hope, and "not" to live in fear.