A Tale of Two Turtles

Years ago when I was a Freshmen in college, I admired an upperclassmen's necklace. It was a turtle. I had to have one just like it. It was a beautiful green stone cut into the shape of a turtle, hanging from a leather cord. I asked her where she'd gotten it, and was told the Discovery Place store in a nearby mall. Not too much longer later, I had one of my own. I wore it around my neck for the next 6 or 7 years - only removing it for special occasions that required a bit "classier" jewelry. Through several years of summer camp, a summer of painting houses (where it acquired several new colors), through graduate school and beyond, I wore this turtle. It was a part of me. 4 years ago, one of my best friends from college got married. I traveled back to NY to be with her on her special day. I even got to go with her to have her hair done at a salon that morning. They were able to fit me in and do my hair as well. It just so happens that they had a pair of earrings and a matching necklace that matched my dress perfectly. Being such a special day, I figured it warranted a change of jewelry. So I took off the turtle and I set it down to put on my newly acquired bobbles. I never saw that turtle again. I'd forgotten it at the salon. I called them and asked if they still had it. They did. I begged them to please mail it to me, it was my favorite necklace! With reluctance, they did. When the envelope arrived I was so excited. Until I saw the hole in the corner of the envelope. I called the USPS and managed to get through to their lost and found department. No luck. I was heartbroken. Last Wednesday my heart was mended. (I'm crying as I write this, I don't think she realized just how much this really did mean to me) My friend May brought me a present. The turtle came back to me.