lost and found

Last Sunday as were walking out the door to church Lauren asked, "Can I take my blankie? I'll leave it in the car." Those of you familiar with said blankie know that it more closely resembles a loose pile of pink yarn. I agreed it should be left in the car, and off we went. When we arrived home at noon, Lauren was tired and wanted to take a nap. Where was blankie? We searched the car, and then the whole house. It was nowhere to be seen. We tried to console an exhausted, sobbing Lauren and she eventually, reluctantly drifted off to sleep. We were sure blankie would turn up, as it had countless times over the three years of its precious existence. But the days went by and still, no blankie. We offered a substitute -- another pink crocheted blanket. She would sometimes snuggle it a little, sometimes throw it angrily to the floor, depending on her mood. Well, tonight as we were leaving the house to run errands Lauren brought me the substitute blankie, held it up as high as she could, and with a big smile on her face said, "Smell it." I held it to my nose and breathed deep. Sure enough, it had taken on a familiar, slightly stinky fragrance. "It smells great," I said. And she replied, "Can I take it with us? I'll leave it in the car."