Lessons Learned

About four years now, I've had the same cell phone for use in emergencies, n have forgotten to bring it with me on several occasions. But I'd never actually lost it until this week-
So over-tired after work that early am, I didn't realize it was gone until I got to the "time to plug n recharge the phone" portion of my "get ready for tomorrow" routine. Then I re-traced n re-traced my tracks again since I'd last used the phone during my work break.

I surmised it must have fallen out of my pocket at some point, but where...? My brain was foggy during empty pockets time, n there's so much in those pockets all day, pens, markers, eye-drops, box-cutter, paper towels, vinyl food gloves, n snacks. It was on silent mode, but I tried calling it with the land-line anyway, figuring I might hear it buzz, or if someone found it, it would say the call was from "home" n there would be a better chance of return, as my name isin't on it anywhere.

I felt half-naked n vulnerable going to work n errands without it. Funny how secure you feel going out knowing you can call for help, n how quickly we are spoiled with it. Mostly the inconvenience of not having the option bothered me. I'd been using the clock often too. 

Mostly I found, I regretted losing the contact numbers no longer memorized as in the old days. Some of those I'd have no way to get again. Then there are some addresses quickly texted to me when bumping into old friends. Folks used to texting me questions would not be read, or get answers either...

Two full days of searching I put in, cleaning spots in the house where I'd unloaded stuff after work. At work I searched places I'd been n asked folks to keep an eye-out. 

Then today after I put a bright, clip lamp in the hallway to move some laundry, there it was, behind a pile! Yay it was at home! It must have fallen out of my pocket after I threw the work pants on top there, n I'd checked the pockets afterwards. Whew, what a relief!

Definitely it's not good to be so tired you can't remember what you- had done on auto-pilot. It would really stink to have to get a new phone n number, n waste already paid for minutes. 

The first thing I did besides plugging in the charger, was copy all the contact info by hand into a notebook- so at least I'd have those numbers accessible somewhere else. Lesson learned, problem solved. If there's a next time, won't lose the important stuff.

(Harbor water pics from beginning of Summer)