Fate catches up with all of us … watch out

I was always a pretty-good girl. That is if you don’t check with my siblings. Until a few weeks ago, I would have qualified for the “best kid” award. Now I think things are beginning to catch up with me.

Probably my worst disciplinary problems in school revolved around talking too much. My last name was Byars, making me sit next to Larry Carter throughout elementary school. We moved as a pack through those first five grades, taking our alphabetical seating assignment each year. So, it is not a surprise that my only punishment (in elementary school) involved Larry. You see, I had a new pearl necklace and I showed it to him. He didn’t believe they were “real pearls from the ocean,” so I handed them to him. Of course, the very expensive string broke, and “real pearls” went everywhere.

I’m not sure what that teacher expected us to do. It seems I remember several of our friends got down on the floor retrieving them, and the Blue Bird Reading Circle at the front of the room was distracted. It was decreed that Larry and I would stay in from recess … writing sentences or some other cruelty. It was such a traumatic event in my life, that I haven’t forgotten it. And … I have never bought another “real pearl.”

This past few weeks, I think Fate has tried to catch up with me. It seems everything I’ve bragged about has come back to haunt me.

I have always bragged about my ability to drive. I can drive everything from a go-cart to a big truck. I have not driven a bulldozer, but I have driven one of those little baby-bulldozers. I can even drive a stick shift. Although I’ve had a couple of instances where I’ve “bumped” into someone parked behind me, I generally drove well … until this past week.

Maybe it is my memory. I forgot that the gas company had dug down to China in the alley. I forgot that we’d had over two inches of rain. I forgot that I was driving my friend’s HEAVY truck. When I turned into the alley, I realize I was in a mess. So, I revved up the motor, put it in reverse, and tried to back up. I didn’t get anywhere rocking back and forth. Several times, I moved forward … two inches and back … two inches. I opened the door which is usually eighteen inches off the ground, and the mud was up to the door. I tried again. Mud flew up in my face.

Even though no one was watching when it happened, the truck required the assist of several neighbors, a very large chain, and another truck. I was pretty sure I would not get to go out to recess that afternoon … or drive the pickup any time soon.

Like I said, the last two weeks have been ominous. Besides being isolated because I came in contact with a Covid Positive Person, I’ve broken a tooth, had to clean up a large bottle of liquid laundry detergent, and let the dogs out numerous times. I’m not sure what I did as a child to deserve this. I do know that I used to wet my toothbrush so my mother would think I had brushed. That probably guaranteed the tooth problems I’ve had low these many years. I’m not sure what brought on the detergent or the Loose-Dog-Problem, but I’ll bet it was something.

I know pride goes before a fall, and payback is HECK, but I promise, I tried to be a good girl.