Finding What Was Lost

“It’s in there!” The frizzy haired woman insisted with mirth in her eye. “But, how?” I asked beseechingly. She gave a mischievous laugh from impish lips in reply And then skipped merrily on her way. The most precious thing I ever lost Contained in a small puzzle box? Ridiculous! I paused. No, I knew what the lady said to be true. I could hear the enchanted object Whispering to me In an unfamiliar language That my heart somehow understood. I was missing a precious commodity. Something very special. My memory could only see vague outlines. However, I was confident A magnificent treasure Lied within the small chest. Now focused, The mystery of unlocking the chest came naturally. With greedy eagerness I quickly opened that which held me back From my forgotten prize. And . . . The chamber was empty Save a simple unframed mirror Taped to the inside of the lid. I remembered the woman with a playful smile And thought, “Is this a woeful attempt at a joke?!” I started to seethe And my face began to contort Then I saw my reflection. Memories of loss Due to anger, regret, and missed opportunities Cascaded into my mind. Were these my most precious valuables? Did I now consider these thoughts so I could make changes? Or did I recall them to realize that they made me who I am today? Both or neither! It didn’t matter. It was simply the past On which I didn’t dwell. Again enraged, I shook myself from my stupor, tore the mirror from its place, and threw it shattering to the ground. “So, it was a trick.” I grumbled. And was just about to curse when a glint from box caught the corner of my eye. Upon closer examination, Behind where the looking glass once stood, Was a simple etching that pierced me with a penitent knife. “I heart Jenny” Jenny. Jennifer. My sister who passed away When I was the simple age of five. A beautiful brown haired brown eyed teenager With a kind smile and the most incredible soul. Cancer. Had it really been over four decades? Too few memories and too little recollection over the years. Now, I recalled. Feelings as much as details. Love and peace. I made a commitment to myself. To never lose sight of that which was most important again.