I was sitting at my computer last night when at about 10:30 PM I received a text from Bram, first apologizing for contacting me so late, and then asking for help finding his ring that had been lost earlier in the day. I called him immediately to discuss what had happened, and when he told me, with an air of desperation in his voice, I realized action needed to be taken right away. The beach he lost his ring on is a beach that is cleaned so well by the city, that it is a wonder that anything might be found on it by a metal detectorist. They use mechanical rakes, sifters, and even a disc to turn the sand to bring up things that might have moved too far down for the sifters to pick up. I told him if he wanted to meet me, I would be there in about an hour.
Bram was initially worried, and for good reason, about the 10:00 PM curfew on the beach, but I told him we should try, and if the officers approach us just to explain why we were there, and then leave it up to them to decide what to do. I met him at about 11:30 PM, and as we were getting ready to walk out to the area the city police were kicking people off of the beach right in front of us. Well we went onto the beach as soon as the police left, and were warned by the people who were kicked off that the police would be back.
He told me how he had taken off the ring to give to his wife for safekeeping, so she put it in her shorts pocket. She at sometime took the shorts off, and they got shaken around where they suspected the ring was lost. We got to the area of the search, and Bram tried to remember the exact area, but it was difficult in the dark, and so much time had elapsed from the time of the loss, about 12 hours. I began my search, digging up a lot of foil, a few pennies, but no ring. I got hits on some quarters and dimes, but did not dig them because I wanted to get a good search in, and I was looking for a gold ring which would sound a whole lot different, also I was worried that the police would come back and I wanted to make the best use of the time we had. Bram then got on the phone to his wife to make sure we were in the right area, and she directed him to an area about 60 feet South of where we were searching. All the while the police were going up and down the beach with lights on telling people to leave.
We moved to the new location, and I began a new grid, and continued to find foil and pennies, and got hits on more quarters and dimes. After about 20 minutes, I heard that sound I was looking for, an almost musical tone. I dug it, and in my scoop I could feel a ring in the darkness. I turned on my headlamp, and saw that I had found what we were looking for. I showed Bram, and he seemed so relieved. He said his wife would be very relieved, and I figured she was probably feeling very bad because she was the last one to have the ring in her possession, and probably took all the weight of the loss on her shoulders. It was now about 1:00 AM, and in an hour and a half on the beach, the police never approached us to tell us to leave, an act of kindness, or divine intervention, either way I was happy to have found the ring. I was so happy to return the symbol of Bram and his wife’s unity, a ring they probably thought was lost forever, and to see his smile. I slept well when I got back, and I know they did also.
Bram’s wife sent the following email to include in this blog:
Dear Mr. Smith,
This is Maureen, Bram’s wife. Words can’t describe how thankful I am for your help.
I really wished I was there last night to look for the ring and give you a big hug to thank you when you found it.
When Bram asked about his ring at dinner, I was shocked and had totally forgot about it. We rushed back to hotel room and found no ring in my short pocket. My heart sank looking around that small pocket and the bag where he put the short, and I was just crying.
Bram went to the beach around 9:30 looking for it while I have to get kids ready to bed and put them to bed. Knowing its lost on the beach I thought it’s lost forever. When he told me about you and he’s going to meet you, I didn’t want to put my hopes to high, I didn’t even want to read your blog knowing that would bring my hopes high. I kept telling myself to accept it and try to move on.
When Bram and you were on the beach, I decided to read your blog, what you did and do is amazing. I kept praying that God’s will to be done, whether it to be found or give me peace in my heart if it isn’t found. The time you made and all the effort, patience, and skills is the extension of God’s hand.
The ring is just material thing but the value and vow and commitment put into it made it irreplaceable. That ring is custom ordered because I want it look just like my parents wedding band.
I really appreciate the time, patience, and passion. I am forever grateful.
Love in Christ,
Maureen
If you lose your ring or other metal item of value, call as soon as possible. I will work hard to help you find what you thought might never be found again. I search, Beverly Hills, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Seal Beach, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Venice Beach, and all parks, yards, gardens, and ponds (to 5 foot depths) in all of Orange County, all of Los Angeles County, and Ventura County.
