Oop’s, I did it again!

B. Spears, Influencer

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I can think of worse places to be stranded; this big box home improvement retailer that does everything that one needs to feel at home, everything but a monitored in-store security system. It wasn’t my first rodeo, to be stranded, that is. I should have prepped the Wonder Pup on what to do in the unlikely event that our version of Gotham city’s Bat Light appears in an afternoon sky. I expected her to come to my rescue. She is my sidekick, after all.

Not Again

It’s become a cultural norm to romanticize irresponsibility. Some would argue if it weren’t for acts of self-indulgence, and a blatant disregard for the effects of pharmaceutical-grade chemical compounds, that the song-writing machines of many a pop-music superstar would come to a screeching halt. It’s these faux pa’s, the Oop’s moments that we encounter, or more likely, create that will be retold, providing the lyrics to an otherwise mundane story. Still, thoughtless actions have ramifications, and some would willingly trade notoriety and Snapchat stardom for credibility and modesty. If you are unsure where you land on this continuum but you feel the need to put on retainer a publicist and an SUV full of lawyers, then maybe your story has all the makings of a pop music artist.

Does this come in Cordless?

Getting stranded in your local Stuff Mart isn’t the kind of thing that will get the face of an average Joe plastered on the National Enquirer adorning the magazine rack at every checkout at every grocery store. Still, it certainly will rattle a teenager who has yet to experience first hand the debilitating effects of his father’s disease.

It was my fault. I have at my disposal an assortment of those pharmaceutical-grade chemical compounds, but none of them with me at the time. Call it negligence, denial, or just another ordinary day with far too much to do. It could have ended much worse. One could only imagine the carnage if I were stuck in the tool aisle between the shiny yellow and the shiny red things having to fight my way out using nothing more than sheer will power and a Capital One card.

Born Free

I have had to learn, and apparently, more class time awaits, what it means to live within the guidelines, or boundaries, make that the shackles that dictate my everyday events. Over the years I have grown accustomed to an impromptu trip to the local Stuff Mart to purchase that one thing I need that really don’t, or move a heavy object that is screaming out my son’s name. Now it takes a village. Maybe a village is an overstatement, but at the very least a checklist tattooed on my forearm delineating all the things I should take with me will suffice if I want my lovely wife to rest easy.

In all honesty, I am not the best at sharing with my lovely wife every obstacle that I encounter telling myself it’s for her protection. If she knew of all of the times that my disease got in the way or made my day challenging, or more colorful, I’m confident I would be confined to a box of bubble wrap and an adult diaper.

Until that glorious day comes, or rather if it comes, getting stranded occasionally will continue to be a risk I am willing to take and through those rare instances. I will get to experience the goodness and compassion of complete strangers, just like I have so many times in the past few years.

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Thanks for reading, liking, and sharing,

Are you sure, Ivy? You can’t see a Bat Light during the day?

Al and his faithful, but technology-dependent sidekick, Ivy the Wonder Pup.

Sure, I can send you a text. I know, you like messages that are all emojis.