We are packed and ready to visit the relatives up north for the holidays – if we haven’t forgotten something. Although we have traveled extensively, at the beginning of every trip we know we have forgotten something, but we will find out what later.
A couple miles from home, we usually remember something we have forgotten. We turn around, go back, unlock the house and retrieve the forgotten item.
After that, it may be two or three days before we realize what else we have left at home.
The worst forgetting was the time we lived in northern Indian and decided to spend the week after Christmas in Florida. We took our camping stove along to help reduce the cost of meals. I was setting up to make a meal of spaghetti wen I realized I couldn’t. We had not packed any pots or pans.
We ate baloney sandwiches for lunch and then found a second-hand shop where we bought a couple of pans.
A few meals later, after resorting to hotel matches to start the fire, we actually had the spaghetti boiling when the flame sputter out. We were out of propane – in a strange town, on new Year’s Day. I did not expect to finish fixing that meal, but we were in Florida at the height of the tourist season. My husband found an open store that sold tanks of propane. Another time we took my stepson’s future wife to meet him at the end of basic training in the Army. Before going to met him one morning, we decided to scramble a few eggs.
The eggs were sizzling, I reached for the salt shaker and it was not there. Eggs do not wait for a trip to the store. The future in-law was introduced to the Hershberger make-it-do as my husband scraped salt off pretzel rods.
The longest period of time for which an essential was forgotten w a 12-week summer mission trip that required my son to bring a sleeping bag. As he entered the airport minutes before his flight, he realized he did not have the sleeping bag.
The quilt eh bought was the most practical souvenir I have ever seen.
Linens seem to be a favorite, “Oops, I forgot.” Like the summer we started to make up our child’s bed at camp until we realized he only had a blanket.
I needed more sheets anyway.
We planned to spend part of one vacation to he beach of the Pacific Ocean. All we had forgotten were the beach towels. It was August. Department stores were selling them at fantastic prices.
Last fall, the kids headed out for a church retreat a couple hours before us. We were just leaving when the oldest called an rattled off a long list of items he wanted me to bring when I came.
“I need my toothbrush, some soap and towels. Hmm, my Bible, oh yes, and some more clothes.” After 10 years of packing his own suitcase, he has finally mastered the family methods of packing quite well.
It took me 10-15 minutes to find and pack most of his items (I forgot a couple) but, at least we didn’t have to go buy anything.
But this time’ I’m ready – well almost. All I have to do is grab my book, no wait a minute, I want to take that other one as well. And I really need a notebook and some more pens and for sure and extra …