I Lost My Wallet: Significant Vibes

In Dedication to Meg, Kristen & Liz

Throughout the fall three of my closest college girlfriends — Kristen & Meg, Liz, and I had being planning a trip to Maine to see Liz’s new home space and for Meg and I to meet her husband Charlie & their two boys for the first time.

A little back story on our friendship. Meg, Kristen, and Liz all met at a party. (Meg and I were roommates our freshman year at Umass. I was working or studying that night, but I’m forever thankful for Meg and that she went to that party). Liz and Meg exchanged numbers. The next day Meg raged about the awesome chicks she had met the previous night and with all girl crush vibes and anticipation of friendship, Megan called Liz as I sat in the room to listen.

Liz answers.

Meg does the awkward befriending to which Liz’s reaction was “I knew you’d call.”

And the rest is herstory — Boyfriends, Breakups, Marriages, Babies, Hikes, Pies And Seafood, Nut Allergies, and Epi Pens.

Back to present day: Kristen, Meg and I have been into the life style discussions of simplification — getting rid of unnecessary shit to make more room for what matters so I was so proud of the fact that I packed everything for the weekend into my small brown leather side bag.

I met Meg, Kristen, & Kristen’s husband, Justin, at Anna’s Taqueria in Sommerville for breakfast. Anna’s didn’t in have coffee so I went to the frozen yogurt shop next door. The magnetic strip on my card wasn’t working so like all good small business owners they gave me the coffee for free. I’ve been in the phase of paying folks back so I grabbed cash as we were leaving Anna’s and ran back to the yogurt shop. I paid with cash and went to Starbucks to meet the crew. This is a prime example of me having no patience — needing to have coffee in a specific moment. What can I say, I’m particular. I like things the way I like them. (Lesson Learned: exercising patience = less steps & a path of least resistance)

We chatted in the car, stopped to make the unexpected, but timely Goodwill drop off and we were off to Meg’s to exchange vehicles, oh and we stopped inside to use the restroom. I imagined myself putting the wallet down on Meg’s entryway table. In my mind, this was the last place I left it.

We stopped in Rockport for lunch and long story short, I could’t find my damn wallet anywhere. Let me also note that my ‘packing light’ also meant a satchel packed to the gills- huge random scarf bursting out of the top scenario. Note to self: whey you cannot zip or close your bag, you’ve over packed, leave room. It gives you the flexibility.

Because I have great friends, they spotted me for the whole weekend.

On Sunday, we got back to Meg’s house and in my mind I could see us walking into the apartment and the wallet would be sitting there ‘right where I left it,’ but alas, it wasn’t there.

So within a 20 minute period while waiting at Flat Bread Pizza for our order, I went through all of the stages of grief: disappointment in self, sadness, anger mixed with sadness, more anger when I realized I didn’t have access to my id so I couldn’t order a beer to uplift me from my woes. (I almost cried. 😂) The whole funnel of drama and upset took place in the middle a hipster family pizza joint/bowling alley filled with screaming kiddos and the sounds of pins falling. Oh, the drama. #lol

I was again rescued by my friends- a requested order ToGo on the pizza and a drive to Kristen’s for bitching and beer.

And then, I let go of it all.

We ended the conversation with love and optimism about things coming back around.

2 days later still without access to a bank card, credit cards, or Tcard with prepaid, but unregistered monthly pass, (#smdh), I received an random email from a woman, Karen Miller (#shoutouts) who works for the city of Boston developing women’s based business, telling me the Sommerville Police department had contacted her saying her business card had been found in my wallet that had been returned to them with all cards and cash accounted.

I had an event to attend a block away from the Sommerville Police station later that evening.

Despite the initial upset, the timing was oddly perfect.

I write all of this to say at the close of 2015 and in reflection on all relationships built and connections made within my life, all paths loop back around. Despite the condition, we can be reminded of the power of love and connection. Love in thought, words, and action.

It’s a reflection on the powerful effect of love — both the giving and the receiving. I emphasize receiving because when we believe that we are worthy of the same depth of love, care and concern that we give to others, that is the moment that we are truly able to love ourselves. We allow good to seep into our lives.

Self Love is the X factor — the multiplier. Its how we are able to create and expand. But we need the spirit and kindness of our friends and family to fuel our growth. It’s the loop of infinite learning & development.

An old roommate of mine, Thomas d’Aprigny — a young French scientist once told me that what many see as coincidence, in the lens of science, it is often something more significant.

We meet people for certain reasons and it’s our choice to make the call, but at some point the universe makes its presentation and case with the mere statement of: “We knew you would…”

Because what is meant to be will be and real love is meant to last a lifetime — through the broken plates, menstrual aches, and great escapes.

🙏🏼 all my friends both old and new, here’s to 2016 let it be both real and true.