I've been wearing my mom's locket since she died. When I lost it in London, a stranger found it for me.

Courtesy of Katharine Horgan

• Katharine Horgan is a 30-year-old who recently lost her mother's locket on her way to work.
• The locket had been given to her by her mom, who died when Katharine was 7.
• After retracing her steps in London, Katharine found her mom's locket.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Katharine Horgan. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was...