How Does This Happen?

The Lost and Found hooks had morphed into three big plastic tubs in the hallway of Prince Elementary School.  At Winter Break, a full van load of unclaimed items was donated to the district's Clothing Bank.

It is inconceivable to me that the jackets just sit there, the hats hang on pegs, the fancy lunch boxes on the window sill and in the buckets. 

Every student walks past it on their way to and from the Music Room.  The K-2 students and anyone visiting them pass it as they leave their classrooms...... and they leave their classrooms many times during the day.  

I worry about people who are living on the edge, yet don't search out missing sweaters and mittens and backpacks.  Is loss that familiar?  Is there so much on their plate that a missing cardigan hardly makes it to the table?  

On Wednesday, the whole situation took on a disturbing cast.  

I understand everything but the pants.

How is it possible that someone lost his pants and didn't care?

I add this to the growing number of signs that the Apocalypse is drawing nigh.