We found Bob the minesweeper in the surf while at the beach last week.
If you think about what Bob represents he tugs at your heart strings like a sad scene in a dramatic movie.

Bob's a number, one object, rather insignificant to most.
Bob had/has a purpose and it seems to be to bring home a message in a manner the average kid can take to heart.
Bob is safely sitting on my window sill but Bob is essentially in his own way MIA.
We found Bob helplessly washed up in the surf while on vacation.
It was the morning of 08-04-2011 on the beach at Asateague island.
No evidence of the action Bob was involved in remained but Bob looked like he needed someone to take him in.
He couldn't communicate whether or not that was the case we just decided for him based on our take of the situation.
Bob could have been waiting for someone to come back for him and that someone may have been counting on him to be there.
Circumstances beyond Bob's control changed that however. Bob can't tell his story to us.
Who was the child that delivered Bob to the beach and where were they from?
Where did they pick up Bob? How large a force was Bob part of?
Where is Bob from and who made him? Bob has no identifying markings, name, rank, no serial number.
Somewhere unknown to us whoever brought Bob to the beach is wondering where Bob is if they even noticed yet.
They may already to be upset that he's gone or it may be years until they even realize Bob's unaccounted for.
The child that called Bob one of his own may have found out Bob was gone on the ride back to his house,
told his parents but by the it was too late and too involved to turn back for only a chance of finding just Bob.
The rest of Bob's unit would have most likely at that moment been brought together on the occasion
of Bob's loss and a mental farewell was given to him.
There may always be the question of what happened and where he went.
We don't know what happened but we know where he ended up.
So he stands, proud but lonely on our sill still tonight.
With a look of strength and purpose while at the same time hopelessly lost.
Whatever conflict that brought Bob to the beach in the first place is long over
but Bob still stands at the ready looking for mines that will never turn up.
Good night Bob, while you will continue to stand ready I need some sleep for a new day has already started.
45 minutes into this day of 08-10-2011.