Something's (temporarily) Missing

Take a look, if you will, at this photo and tell me what's missing:

If it's not a dead giveaway, I can only assume you were looking for Waldo...

A certain piece of gold that has encircled my ring finger for more than twenty-two years.  Let me quash any and all hints of scandal or conspiracy (frankly, I think the conspiracy theorists are far too consumed with the bin Laden shenanigans at this point) to say that the ring is going back on shortly.  It was removed out of necessity for yet another medical procedure I had today.

I had a CT scan this afternoon and needed to part with any metal in advance of that fiesta (which aside from the freaky, freaky dye injection wasn't bad at all).  So I slipped off my wedding ring this morning as I showered because it is much easier to remove when wet.  Because I am no longer tipping the scales at 155 lbs. as I was the day I married the stunningly patient and mighty fine SML, prying off the ring takes some effort.  Not "Jaws of Life" effort, but enough.  I'm just saying.

Being without my ring has caused me to reflect on its significance.  Throughout the day, I found myself glancing down at my ring-less finger and could not help feeling as if I was totally exposed.  I don't think I've removed this ring since I got it.  It's not because I'm terrified of losing something of significant monetary value.  By the world's standard, that little piece of yellow gold isn't worth a great deal (although with gold trading at nearly $1,500 an ounce...).  To me, its value is in its symbolism and that is priceless.  That ring of gold symbolizes a never-ending circle and is a reflection of the never-ending, eternal bond that unites my wife and I forever.  For me, it serves as a constant reminder of my commitment to her and the covenants we've made.  I suppose it's a bit of a truth-sayer too.  The ring itself doesn't have any powers, like one of those boss Wonder Twins rings ("Activate!").

Can you imagine if our wedding rings had those kind of powers?  I mean, imagine if you were having one of those discussions where your points of view are polar opposite and bridging gap is going to take some serious work.  What if you could just tap your rings and say something akin to "Activate!" and whammo! your problems are solved.  But then, what fun would that be.  Some of the greatest growth I've experienced as a man and as a husband has occurred from those moments where we've had to work together to work something out.

So, I'll be glad to slip that yellow band of gold back on my ring finger tonight.  I know plenty of people, men and women alike, that do just fine without wearing a wedding ring.  Me, not so much.  I need mine.  I love what it symbolizes.  I like the comfort it brings me.  And I really like that it proclaims that I'm married to the stunningly patient and mighty fine SML.