Lost and Found …

I have traveled more than three million miles in the last decade but have not had the experiences I had this past week.  Before a routine flight to Las Vegas for a meeting with the MS AT&T Account Team, I got my boarding ticket and went to the security line – where the ticket was missing.  First time ever.

Then, after I checked into my room at the Venetian/Palazzo hotel and started to work at the room desk, some guy used his room key and walked into my room.

Finally, after checking my clothes closet, I realized that I never got back my favorite five ties from the dry cleaners some weeks ago, that they had gone missing.

There are happy endings to these three stories though.

On my boarding ticket, after retracing my steps including the restroom, I concluded the ticket was indeed missing and with the clock ticking I resigned myself to waiting in the same service desk line I had started wit.  After an endless period of time and no recourse – I look at the desk and FIND my long lost boarding pass just sitting there!   Back to security and an uneventful flight!

For my room, after calling the front desk to complain about strangers entering my room they decide that they will upgrade me to a rock-star Vegas style 2000 sq ft suite – even though I will spend little time in the room in-between meetings and a 7am flight yesterday.  That all worked out fine! FOUND new room!

Lastly, after returning to the ill-fated dry cleaners that I had abandoned, they declare they have no ties in storage.  After I make them look again, they miraculously find them (my favorites) and I leave a happy guy! LOST and FOUND!

Moral of these stories: sometimes what is lost is found later.  Not to put too fine a point on it, but bad stories can sometimes have happy endings.  Sometimes, something can be missing, but it is just lost – and can indeed be found again.  Not always for sure, but during the time of lost-ness, we can appreciate what is missing and appreciate it when it is back!  Whether it is ties or something more meaningful.