I went for a walk with a friend the other day. After we greeted each other with a hug, she did what she always does: clips a microphone on my collar. This silver bullet-shaped microphone transmits my voice to her hearing aids so she can hear me while we walk.
We soon became engrossed in our conversation. When we neared the end of our walk I noticed the microphone was gone. We prayed and retraced our steps looking for it. We even asked sympathetic passers-by to keep an eye out for it. Finally we gave up and said goodbye.
Before getting into the car to go home, I unfastened the coat I had tied around my waist when I got overheated. That’s when I found the microphone still clipped to my coat collar. It had been there the whole time!
At this point you might expect me to mention how God is always with us, even when we are unaware of him. Or talk about the importance of mindfulness. But really, considering my age, I’d rather just laugh about it. I’m getting as absent-minded as Professor Calculus. In situations like these, I find myself echoing my grandson. One of his favourite lines–said with a laughing groan–is “Not again?!”
We have to laugh at ourselves sometimes, and I rarely find myself short of material.
The other day I was racing out the door to Scrabble night with the girls when I remembered my cell phone needed charging. I grabbed the cord and intended to recharge my phone while we played.
I didn’t think of it again until I got home and couldn’t find the cord. I looked for it in my backpack and my coat pockets three times with no luck. I e-mailed my friends; they hadn’t seen it either. The next morning I checked the most likely places again and even looked in a coat pocket that I rarely use. As I did I felt something hard in the sleeve: the plug. Ha! The night before, I had the cord in my hand when I put on my jacket. The cord was still dangling in my sleeve!
When I told my friends what happened, they had a good laugh. And I hope you do too.
Please, tell me I’m not alone. Send me your absent-minded-not-again story by e-mail or in “comment” so we can all laugh together.
BTW when Fred sees this post he’s going to want to give me one of those mugs. Or maybe he already has… Not again?!
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
– 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
An Everyday Pilgrim 
I take my wet clothes from the washing machine, throw them into the dryer, and close the door. As I set the timer, I can’t recall if I threw in a dryer sheet or not. So, I open the dryer door to look. Yep, it’s there. Every time it’s this same routine, double-check for the dryer sheet. What baffles me is how I can never recall the act of putting it in there. Ever. It’s my own little twilight zone.
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Yup. Like how I never remember putting my keys down. I think sometimes they temporarily disappear into that black hole where all my missing socks are.
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As I read your blog, my frustration bubbled up at the many times I’ve done something similar… but nothing to write about, until this morning. A beautiful frosty morning, up early and out in the door in time to get an early train, then pick up my bike and ride to work. Half way down the hill I realize I am travelling rather too light. I have left my purse behind so have no money, no bus tickets and no phone. There’s no choice but to turn around and go back up the hill. Too late for a bike ride, even to catch the train, so I have to drive, and arrive late because of the traffic!
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I feel your pain. Don’t look outside; it’ll only make it worse.
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