“Time is the enemy of recovering lost items.” — Charles Neal

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Last summer, I was scurrying around the house to get ready and make it to my destination on time. With time ticking against me, I threw some clothes in a bag and jumped into the Explorer.

Securely strapping my seatbelt around me, I took a quick look around me and reached for the key to get some cool relieve from the summer heat. Realizing the key wasn’t in my pocket, I hurriedly looked around me. I looked on the floor and the console but came up short. Feeling frustrated,

I unlocked the seatbelt and ran back into the house to continue my search. Inside, I looked on the kitchen counter, bedroom nightstand and in my office. Finally, after the search proved to be unlucky, I grabbed the spare key and figured it would show up after returning home on Sunday. Repeating the earlier actions, I turned the ignition and took off for some lakeside relaxation.

Needless to say, upon returning back home, weeks went by without finding the lost key. Weeks turned into months and my memory faded. I had lost hope of finding the key. In the meantime, I called Mike Fetko at Carriage Ford and had a new key cut.

Today, looking back and writing, I guess there could be many lessons learned from my experience. First, following the advice of my grandpa, put things back in the same place and where they belong. Second, plan accordingly and allow enough time to get the job done right. Finally, and in my opinion the most important, don’t put things off thinking they will somehow work themselves out. You see, when it comes to lost things, time is the enemy.

Now, sticking with this idea, what if the lost item would’ve been more important to me than a replaceable key? What if it would’ve been someone close to me or a family member? If my mom disappeared today, would my memories of her last sighting be more accurate today or next week? Looking at this from another view, if I was the expert in charge of finding someone else’s loved one, would the more thorough investigation occur right after the final sighting or a few days later?

The obvious answer to this last question is immediately. Starting the investigation sooner than later would allow the needed time for gathering more valuable clues.

Last Friday, the state of Indiana took a stance and demonstrated its shared view of timeliness. Passing a bill into law, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed off requiring police to immediately begin investigating missing person’s cases. The law was named after Eastern Kentucky University student Molly Dattilo, of Madison, who disappeared from Indianapolis nearly three years ago. “Molly’s Law” was supported by her family and the loved ones of other fellow missing Hoosiers.

With close ties to Eastern, I became familiar with Molly’s just after the news broke. After initially hearing the news, I was left both shocked and saddened. Shocked that this could happen to a soon-to-be fellow alumnus and saddened for her family and loved ones left searching.

Looking at the situation from the hearts of her family, I couldn’t imagine being told to wait before someone could begin looking for my missing loved one. How helpless would you feel?

In closing, I want to give special recognition to all of those who worked hard to pass this new law. Although it may never bring Molly home, it may change the situation for another Hoosier family in the future.

Charles Neal is founder and CEO of CFN Wealth Management, where they believe that when it comes to lost items, time works against you. And, when it comes to lost loved ones, waiting to start searching shouldn’t be an option. He is a Jeffersonville resident. You can write him at cfnwealthmgmt@kfg.com or read his news column here every Tuesday.