Last week I went to Cleveland to celebrate my granddaughter’s 7th birthday. We were going to start the day by taking a ride on the Cuyahoga Scenic Railway with her brother. The tickets said not to be late, so I was planning to leave in plenty of time. I had a lot to bring with me, so I loaded the car in two trips, readied the backseat for the kids, took out the garbage, and a few other things.
When I was ready to go, I realized my keys were not in my pocket. I looked around, to no avail. I then remembered I had locked the door leading into the house. And to keep this short, other options for getting into the house didn’t work. My neighbor wasn’t home to help me break in. The clock was ticking. So, in desperation, I called the police to help me.
I retraced my steps while I waited for my rescuers, and found the keys almost immediately. I called the police back and said thanks anyway, and I left for Cleveland. I told the kids this story when we were on our way to the railroad and we all laughed.
Later at supper with their parents and aunts and uncles, my grandson asked me if I was going to tell my kids the story of my keys. My granddaughter immediately said, I wouldn’t, too embarrassing. Thanks a lot.
As with most life events, I try to reflect on what I can learn from the moment. My first thought when it happened was that I should have trusted myself. I got anxious because of timed tickets, but I don’t usually misplace my keys. Next time I might breathe more and panic less. But I also need to be open to asking for help. It is not an embarrassment to ask for assistance when I need it, as long as I am giving at least as much as I receive. We need each other.
So maybe there are two lessons for me to ponder-trusting ourselves and trusting our community. Life is hard, often anxiety provoking. Being kind to ourselves is just as important as being kind to others. And heaven knows there are plenty of opportunities to practice! It’s also good to know there are people who will help, and that I can be one of them. We really do need each other.