Member-only story
LOST AROUND THE CORNER
Getting lost can shape your life.
My paternal grandmother had a wooden leg. I never really knew how she lost her leg but, I was always fascinated to watch when she removed it before bed. Born Katherine Josephine Young, Mamaw Knight to me, was my favorite of my grandparents. Every Friday she would walk with me as I rode my tricycle to the corner store where she would buy me a long stick of black licorice. I love that taste! Even today when I drink a pastis it reminds me of those runs to the corner store.
We never went any further than that corner. That was the limit for me at three years old.
One day I walked out the front door of our house in St. Louis and found my tricycle lying in the front yard. This was my chance to see what was around that corner. I pedaled away before anyone could see me. Around the first corner and who knows how many more! I was truly excited to explore this new piece of my world.
After some time at this I stopped. As I started heading back to where I thought home was, I was unsure if at the next corner I needed to turn left or right. Things looked different going back. I was lost.
Continuing to go in the direction I thought was towards home, I’m not sure how much time elapsed before Mamaw Knight found me. Apparently, a search party had been formed…
