Left Behind: More Than Just Post-Apocalyptic Novels for Evangelicals

Yesterday as I was leaving work, I opened my desk drawer to retrieve my book. I realized with horror that the drawer was empty, except for about thirty ketchup packets and various tea bags, kindly bestowed upon me by my predecessor. The discovery was especially painful because it was my favorite book and I had found it at a used bookstore for $4.



I must have left it somewhere during my lunch break, and was unsuccessful when retracing my steps. It is my sincere hope that whoever finds it likes to read about dictatorships in the Dominican Republic.

However, there was a silver lining (I’m such an optimist!) because this experience reminded me of all the times that I left important belongings behind in public places. Although what follows will not showcase my intelligence, I have written a comprehensive list:

TOP NINE ITEMS I HAVE LEFT BEHIND (I CAN’T THINK OF TEN)

Item: Passport #1
Where I left it: Somewhere in London
Current Status: Lost forever. My repatriation was a miracle, but I hope that some Moldovan used it to live out the American dream.

Item: Passport #2
Where I left it: Shady temp agency where I saw a woman throw away a resume.
Current Status: Recovered

Item: Gloves I borrowed from someone I had known for about 22 hours.
Where I left it: Cash register at the Gap
Current Status: Recovered, but I had to beg the security guard to let me in because the doors were already closed.

Item: A signed stipulation that I was supposed to take to Court the next day.
Where I left it: Barnes and Noble magazine section.
Current Status: Recovered. I realized what I had done about two minutes into a temple session (for non-Mormons, it is a religious service where you can’t get up to leave). I had to sit there for two hours, thinking that I was going to be fired the next day. I almost started crying when they produced the manila envelope from behind the café counter.

Item: $100 bill
Where I left it: San Pedro Sula, Honduras airport
Current Status: Guess that was someone’s salary for the year

Item: Wallet
Where I left it: Movie theatre at City Mall in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Current Status: See above

Item: Cell Phone
Where I left it: Tanner Building, BYU
Current Status: Never recovered, although I could check the voice mail from another phone and my friend had called and yelled, “Thief!” Where’s the honor code now?

Item: MasterCard Debit
Where I left it: Booth at Applebees, LaCeiba, Honduras
Current Status: Recovered, thanks to an honest employee who pursued and flagged us down in the parking lot. Good thing I’m easy to spot down there.

Item: Estee Lauder cleanser and moisturizer
Where I left it: Wendy’s counter at Metroplaza, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Current Status: Partially recovered. I guess that the employees only wanted to keep the moisturizer for themselves.