I become obsessed when something is lost. The reason for my obsession is the realization that things that are lost do not actually disappear. The mystery is that they exist somewhere but are not found. The challenge is to find what is lost. The challenge is my obsession.

The earring slid off Flo’s ear while she was sitting in the front seat of the car and we were certain that, wherever it fell, it was in the car.

It was dark and we searched with the light of my cellphone. Nothing.

In the morning light, I was looking under the seat that I had searched the night before. As I said, it’s an obsession.

As I maneuvered the seat, an amber glow caught my eye. It was stuck in a metal bracket attached to the seat between the seat and the console.  With the help of a paper straw - having the right tool is essential - I removed the amber object.

My excitement was shattered as I recognized the yellow gummy bear that I had freed from its hiding place.

My disappointment quickly turned to intrigue and thought. If a gummy bear could have fallen and lodged itself in the metal bracket that aproned the seat upholstery, what else might have found a hiding place in the bracket?

With that very special straw I found the lost earring.

My obsession drove me and, with the assistance of the gummy bear glowing in the sunlight, solved the mystery of the lost earring.