Shane’s silver chain

My younger son Shane came home on Saturday night from spending two days with his friends which included an active, fun-filled day at the Yacht Club. He repaired into the bathroom to prepare for his shower, but quickly reappeared at my bedside where I lay reading, exclaiming: “Mummy. I lost my chain in the pool!” This is the silver chain that had belonged to his beloved Grandma Daisy, and that he now wears all the time.

After a few questions to ascertain when last he remembered having the chain, and him being sure that it was in the pool, I said to him: “Don’t worry. Nothing is ever lost. We will call Auntie Wendy in the morning and ask her to check in with the Yacht Club”. I calmly went back to my book, and he to his before-bed ritual.

The next morning, he was invited by another friend to spend the day boating. In true orderly-Universe style, the boat was docked at the very same Yacht Club. We agreed that Shane would go back to the pool to find the chain.

Driving home last night after picking him up from his friend’s home, I was presented with the news that he had found the chain. “Mummy! I found the chain! It was right there on the steps of the pool”.

Yes Shane. It was right there – in its right place. What a reminder, if we need reminding, of the order, the goodness of the Universe! A tiny strand of silver. A 13-year old boy. The connection between a beloved grandmother no longer with us in the flesh, and her adoring grandson. The goodness of the Universe. Nothing is ever lost – temporarily separated, the Universe, as is its wont, conspired to put chain and boy together again.

But Shane and I also had a role to play in declaring and accepting the fact that the chain was not lost. There was no emotion, no panic, no upset, no fear. Shane was certain that the chain was in the pool. He knew where it was. We both knew that he would get it back. We didn’t know how nor when, for we had no idea on Saturday night that Shane would be going to the Yacht Club the very next day. We just knew that the chain was not lost.

In my family we use the declaration “Nothing is ever lost” all the time. And it never fails. It’s not the words that never fail though, it’s the conviction, the trust that it is so. Sometimes we don’t find the thing – and that’s OK, for we know and trust that the thing is in its divine right and perfect place – waiting to reveal itself to us at some other time, or in some other space, or perhaps even to a new owner! “Nothing is ever lost” and the belief in it is a recipe for living a joyous, worry-free life! Both Shane and I slept well on Saturday night, secure in the knowledge that his Grandma’s silver chain was in its right and perfect place, waiting to be reunited with him.

As we revelled in the joy of the reunion of boy and chain, I recognised a learning moment, a moment for Shane to understand that he needs to be careful with his belongings and to not swim with the chain again. So I enquired of him what he had learned from this episode. From beneath his long, softly curving eyelashes, he peered at me quizzically with trusting eyes and said questioningly “That nothing is ever lost?” That was not the response I expected, but it sure was the right answer!