Denver International Airport

Thought since I was here, I’d try to ask Lost and Found directly about a bag I left last month. They never seemed to check very thoroughly when I was on the phone. I set my mind to “open” trying to feel the good vibes I felt in Cancun when I recovered an iPod that had been missing for a week. I just knew walking into that airport office that it was in there. They first handed me a pink 8 gig, nicer than my own.

“No, I’m sorry. That one’s not mine.”

“I think it’s the only one back there. I’ll look again.”

I felt so calm and sure, and after 5 minutes of her looking, there it was, wrapped in duct tape, holding the earphones tight to the body. Perfect timing.

This time, the feeling was different- positive but not sure. Walking up to the airport information desk, there were three women gathered around, chatting and giggling. The one up front turned around and yelled, “Ukulele!”

She sauntered towards me and took it from my hands.

“Do you play?”

I thought she seems very excited not to.

“Yes, from my childhood!” eyes lit up, teeth showing.

She checked the tuning, singing “My Dog Has Fleas” then began strumming it confidently, loudly, fingers moving without looking, her hips swaying side to side as she hummed to herself. I didn’t know the song but I loved watching her play. Her eyes opened and she looked at me directly-

“What about you? Do you play?”

“Not very well- I could never quite get the strumming like you do. I’m bringing it home for my mom.”

“Oh! Is she an old lady like me?”

“Ha! Um, well, she wants to learn how to play too.”

“Great!”

Her friends started to request songs, but she said she could only remember “Isn’t she lovely?” She played for a few more seconds and handed it back to me. I couldn’t help but notice some of the dust had been knocked free from under the strings. Her friend chastised her for stealing it from me, said I was lucky to get it back, and asked,

“What was your original question?”

“I don’t remember! You just totally made my morning.”

The bag wasn’t in Lost and Found- if it had ever been, they would have gotten rid of it two weeks ago. It was okay though. I was able to let go of that material hope and hold instead to that spicy moment, some foreshadowing of all the adventure and new people and experiences, not two weeks away, but starting now.