Nearly 25 years ago someone very important to me gave me a pair of 1/10 carat size diamond earrings. I wore those every day earrings for close to 20 years (of course taking them off for regular cleaning!). About 5 years ago I had to have a medical scan done which required me to remove all jewelry. Well when it was time for the test I couldn’t get the earrings off. Try as I might I couldn’t. So my husband tried to help me but his fingers were too large so he got needle nose pliers and he accidentally squeezed too hard and the setting popped out. I was crushed! We searched all around me, my desktop, the carpet, each other, EVERYWHERE! Just so happened, I had my paper shredder sitting on the floor near me and it occurred to me the diamond might have dropped in there. Not likely, but taking no chances, I carefully dumped the shreddings into a plastic trash bag and tied it up. I put it aside, went on with the test, intending to search the bag later. The bag was stuffed into a moving box at some point, life went on and, well, I forgot about it. A few days ago I was looking for something and discovered what appeared to be a trashbag full of paper shreddings that should have been discarded. But no, it was the bag I had saved so long ago. This morning I decided today was the day. I opened the trash bag, got another for the truly discarded shreddings and a wooden bowl. Bit by bit, I carefully shook out literally pinches of paper. Shook it, squeezed it, pressed it against the bowl figuring the diamond might be tiny but I would be able to feel it or hear it hit the bowl at least. Handful after handful of paper shreds. Talking to myself the whole time. “You know this is insane right?” “No, the universe will give me what it wants me to have.” “Do you feel foolish sitting here wasting so much time?” “Yeah maybe but what does it matter, at least I can trash the bag finally.” More pinches and shreds discarded. Finally I dumped out the last cup full of shreddings from the bag. Well this is it. The answer will be soon. More pinching, sifting mere dust. A sparkle. What?? And there it was. A small diamond. I blinked many times. Surely this couldn’t happen. But there it was. Waiting for me for so long. I’m not crying, you’re crying! I got what the universe wanted me to have. No, not the diamond silly! The lesson. Even when you think you’re totally crazy for believing something, just do it. Just believe it. Miracles happen. And if it doesn’t? That’s another story for another day. This day, today, the universe wanted to show me miracles happen. And the diamond? It’s safely tucked away in a jewelry box. Waiting to be re-set to be worn another 20 years. To witness another miracle. Life is full of them! And love, life is always full of love! (Yes the picture is the actual diamond and no I’m not a photographer!)