Guest Post by Gloria Lionz
Have you EVER ‘misplaced, lost or parted company with a beloved belonging only to be blissfully reunited? If you’re like most people, you probably have.
But what happens when those objects disappear? Do you react with anger or negative self-judgment? Or do you take a moment to approach a disappointment by granting yourself a moment of grace, curiosity and/or humor?
In my youth, I was rough on myself. I chastised forgetfulness and the occasional blip of self-centered behavior by whispering mean things inside. Yikes! Talk about extending the pain of a moments’ oversight! Thankfully, the habit of berating myself dissolved after realizing, as Soul, those experiences were merely that. They weren’t an indication of my Soul’s character. None made me any less worthy of love than anyone else. I was, after all, learning along the way which is (as far as I know) how humans learn to navigate in the physical world.
In my 30’s, my relationship with Spirit shifted as my understanding of how divine love operates expanded. I released outworn patterns of demeaning myself. Instead I began asking questions like: what golden opportunities are here by noticing whatever I was thinking or doing hadn’t resulted in the kind of outcome I earnestly desired? I took off my heavy “Judge’s” robe. Instead I consciously chose to became a ‘lover of life’ WHILE including innocent (if unwise) errors made at the same time. In so doing, I learned “losing” objects and/or perspective typically includes new opportunities to mature.
I hope these musings uplift similar memories. Yes, I’m grateful for how the ‘sunglasses returned.’ But even better, I’m amazed by how much joy I experienced in telling the tale. Their comings & goings took me on a journey eventually returning me to the “point” of why we’re here: to love, laugh and learn each and every moment.
Lost and Found
When my spouse lost his memory
We both “lost” about 8 years
Big and small adventures halted
Intense care plans became the norm
His creativity and mental acuity faded
During that time, I tracked days, not years
It was impossible to imagine excursions of any sort
Alzheimer’s honors no such plans
But sunglasses? They’re unique
They plop where placed, carefree travelers all
Silent unfussy companions on any adventure
Zero concern for timetables or destinations
Last year, they accompanied me to Croatia, Tuscany and Mexico
Every place they “landed” they managed to ‘get lost’
But like their owner, they surfaced, found their way back
Slightly askew yet as fashionable as the day they were made
It’s true ~ objects get lost just like their people
But they lack a voice
So how do they find their way home?
The grace of Facebook posts, mostly kismet
My 2007 designer sunglasses remind me
I may be ‘aging’ but I enjoy doing so “in style”
Like my ‘shades,’ I have some years on me
But I remain useful, memorable and classy
Neither of us are easily forgotten
We’re too unique to be ignored
People naturally notice us
And kind folks help us when we lose our way
In Croatia, travel companions scoured a village
Circulating photos of said sunglasses sitting in a café
Text-to-text helped a local spot them in a bar
A few weeks later they once more ‘returned’ home
In Tuscany, they briefly visited a river-side restaurant
A sharp bellman took great delight in finding
Then depositing them in my grateful hands
We chuckled imagining all the conversations they’d overheard
In Mexico, they “hid” in my friend’s glove box
Six weeks later, the afternoon he traded in his car
Once again, we were reunited!
Oh, the STORIES THEY COULD TELL!!
Life is like that – we stay on track as best we can
Fulfill obligations, plan sturdy plans, move on
Then suddenly find ourselves adrift
Uncertain if we’ll ever ‘fit’ in anywhere
My serendipity sunglasses remind me
We’re more than the roles we play,
The places we go ~ or don’t go ~
Even how others ‘see’ us
We’re liquid – like the sea
Sometimes as soft as silk; other times hard as nails
Depending on where we land
We shift, stick around awhile, inevitably move on
Isn’t it amazing how fluid we are?
One day, we’re as stylish as a model
Then lose perspective, wonder if we’ll ever regroup
Feel useful, fun, or dare to choose anew…
Ahh, but there’s the miracle of being
Once we say “yes” and walk through that next door
Purchase a ticket, risk again, go someplace new
We’ll choose a new outfit; create that next role
Once more, I’m traveling –
Wearing a new iteration of myself, making new friends
Grateful realizing no matter how lost I occasionally feel
I’m sure I’ll find then surprise myself again
© Gloria Lionz, March 2, 2026
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Gloria Lionz has been a life coach for four plus decades. She’s also a life-long poet and storyteller. Her training in personal growth began in her early 20’s. With certificates in Reiki, Ho’oponopono, and training with Caroline Myss, the works of Alamaia Will, Lynn Andrews, and Dr. Christiane Northrop. She facilitates group and individual coaching and is also an event planner.
She is an enthusiastic gardener, an essential oil instructor, and volunteers at her local cat shelter helping cats learn to trust and recover from neglect and/or abuse. She’s committed to living a life of “love in action”—sharing her passion for helping others notice and accept they’re here to love and be loved.
Gloria can be contacted through her email: [email protected]
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