Oh, what a time I had today...Kam came down with Strep Throat over the weekend...oh, yeah, right before I am getting ready travel to NCTE in Boston on Thursday! So I did what any working mom would do, I called off work to stay home with him! Except when I went to get my purse and look for the keys to drive the car to go to the doctor, there were no keys to be found! No keys? Right, no keys. I couldn't go to the doctor until we found the keys. After 3 hours of looking and retracing my steps, I gave up and called my friend Katie to take us. She kindly offered and we made it there to learn of Kam's diagnosis.
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| I imagined the keys yelling, "Hey, come back! Don't leave without us!" |
In the process of retracing my steps, I swore up and down that I knew I last had them on Saturday night when I had checked out at the local drugstore after purchasing my brother's birthday card. I remember this point because the sales clerk asked for my wellness tag...I called the store 3 times and each time the same person answered and mundanely stated, "No, we haven't found any keys."
I was so frustrated because after looking everywhere in the house, I knew they must be somewhere else. I would have driven my car there to look except I had no keys to drive the car. So, I left my phone number in the hopes that they would find the keys. I began to cry thinking of all the locks that would need changed, tag cards to replace and vehicle fobs to purchase. What a mistake. How could I be so forgetful? This is what happens when we're rushing. A sign from the Lord that I need to slow down and take better stock of what I am doing. Ok, Lord-you had me at lost...
Low and behold, the store called as we were on our way back home from the doctor. I was happy that Katie would be able to drive me there. I rushed into the store and sure enough, the clerk handed over my keys. Thank goodness I got them back! So I thought of looking up some quotes about losing things for inspiration in my slice and then I found this site-which gives advice on how not to lose things...
- Have a home for everything...
- Establish daily routines/rituals
- Figure out what you lose most
- When you do lose something-stay positive
I thought these were great bits of advice. As I reflected on my keys being lost I applied them and it helped me to put things in perspective. The last one reminded me of the advice my mom gave which was to say your prayers to St. Anthony...
To Find a Lost Article
St. Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (name your lost item) which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.
My prayers were answered...thank you Lord! All is well and good-keys found!
What do you do when you've lost something?
St. Anthony always seems to work. Often in mysterious ways. Glad you got your keys back. I had a similar experience over a debit card. After I replaced it and later had my car washed, it turned up. It had fallen under the seat. But at least I could drive. Thanks for the list of helpful advice.
ReplyDeleteI used to misplace my keys when I was a classroom teacher ALL OF THE TIME. It was embarrassing!
ReplyDeleteHope all of our kids are feeling better before we have to leave them for NCTE!
Honestly Amy you head the nail on the head when you said...too much rushing and trying to do too much at one time! Every time I rush to do something it's never done right! For me not rushing is the key . . . no pun intended ;-)
ReplyDeleteFrustrating situation, with a happy end and a lesson to learn. I hope that Katie will feel better soon and you can calmly go to the conference.
ReplyDeleteI pray, and then I start thinking about how I could get better organized. (Organization does not always work though; it stays as a thought. I wonder why??) So glad you found your keys!!! Prayers are answered!
ReplyDeleteFrustration, panic and guilt all come to mind when I lose something. Prayer definitely works - we just have to be patient. I'm so glad that I must have the keys in my purse or in a pocket for me to start my car. At least I know that they are in my purse - of only I remember to bring it with me! Glad you found your keys and that your little one is better.
ReplyDeleteI too have prayed to St. Anthony MANY MANY TIMES since the day my baby sitter lost her diamond and had ALL the kids (mine included) reciting and looking. It was found....by my son...underneath a radiator in the bathroom! PS. Enjoy the break and the excitement and all the learning that NCATE can offer!
ReplyDeleteYou took us through this trial with you. So glad it came out okay in the end.
ReplyDeleteLosing things is such a regular occurrence in my life, and it seems to become even more regular the older I get! Have a great time in Boston.
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating! So glad they turned up. Looking forward to meeting you in Boston!
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