1. God
2. Five years or so ago, Emily gave me a bracelet, nickel or nickel plated, with the Serenity Prayer inscribed upon it.
3. I wore it every day as a reminder, for about two years, like a talisman or amulet.
4. One night at my mother and father’s house, while putting stuff in the car, the bracelet slipped off my wrist. It was too dark to discover immediately.
5. Later a search of the car turned up nothing, nor did I see it in the driveway or on either side, especially under the row of burning bushes.
6. Since, every now and then, I would look, and not see it. Snow would come along, and pass with other seasons.
7. Yesterday, visiting my mother and father again, I was talking with my father as he watered the grass and holding Peabody by the leash, who had other ideas (go, go, go,) and thought of it again.
8. A quick glance under the burning bushes and I noticed some end of a metal coil pointing up, sitting on top of the dead leaves there.
9. I put it on, not much worse for wear, needing a little polish maybe.
10. I could say, where did my serenity go during the time it was missing. That would seem too facile, and yet there was a time last year after hearing it said that I realized I’d forgotten it – the words, never mind the practice,
11. a gift I wasn’t looking for and was always there and still is, absent me or the bracelet.
I’m grateful to have encountered your recollection here Garrett, thank you, and be well…
Garrett, I was touched by this….something so meaningful, and yes, in my opinion, Alive, waiting to be found by YOU…thanks for sharing. You are a Blessing. Warmly, Jean
I am so grateful the bracelet found you again! And what a beautiful inscription, the serenity prayer is one of my favorites.
Garrett: I have read, re-read, and savored your list here. You do so embody the principles of the Serenity Prayer without becoming so rigid in its application. (I overheard someone say to another person who had just shared their deep pain, “Well, you know, you gotta accept the things you can’t change.”) So thankful for you and your gracious application of these truths. And, I’m remembering Moses’ discovery of Truth, and grateful that there was no burning bush in your case, but a languid, late, summertime discovery with Peabody instead. :)