Remembering

When I was little, I remember telling myself occasionally that I would remember "that" particular moment always and forever. While I can't remember the details around any of those times, I have been revisiting that feeling, but with greater cognizance.

I locked myself out of the house one day this winter. Well, not just any day, but one with sub-zero temperatures. My phone, and easy help, was inside the warm house. For the first forty-five minutes, I convinced myself that I just needed to find the right tool of destruction in the garage to jimmy my way back into the warm house. I checked and double-checked every window to see if it was locked. I abandoned that plan when my fingers went numb, and I sat in a wicker chair to create a mental will of who would get my shoes, who might wear my scarves and shawls, and what might happen to my lip balms scattered in various bags. Help eventually arrived, and I can laugh at it now because I still have my fingers, my shoes and shawls, as well as my lips balms.

A small lesson for humanity. When you need help, ask for it. When you have the opportunity to return the favor, return it. And you will remember that moment always and forever.