Of Losses: Apples, Knives, Shirts

January 28th

Thought I was being all smart packing some snacks for the flight to LA. And what makes a better snack than fruit, right? And, being a good little Canadian, when I got to customs I checked the box that I had fruit and vegetables, because I did. And they took my apple. Which is fine, but the lady just threw it out! Don't they have a lunch room? It was washed and everything (which was part of the issue, as the sticker was off).

As I was packing my carry-on earlier that day, I tossed in my smaller nearly-empty shoulder bag at the last minute. Did a quick mental scan: liquids, implements of destruction? Clear.
I'm so used to toting around a pocket knife, I completely forgot it was in there, only remembered as they were digging around the bottom of my bag. The woman at the security check felt terrible that I was going to lose my knife and told me I could mail it home for about $15.

I'd had this knife since I lost the last one the same way, when I was 18 or so. I'm fairly certain it was a free-gift-with-magazine-subscription, given to me by my folks. However it was procured, I didn't buy it. The knife was so dull that you essentially had to push it through things; on more than one occasion, I used the backside of the blade with enough success that I didn't notice until I was finished. The scissors couldn't even cut paper. The screwdriver was the most useful, but not $15 + half-a-world-away useful.

Ah, but it reminded me of a story.

***

My friend's sister is notoriously absentminded about her possessions, constantly losing things. Whenever she travels, her bag looks like it's exploded within minutes arriving and she leaves a trail of belongings behind her until the moment before she absolutely has to pack.

During one visit home, she began frantically searching for a prized shirt, to no avail. She stormed about and went upstairs, tossing her room with frustrated futility.
Later, walking past the slightly ajar door, my friend saw her sister kneeling on the floor, defeated, shaking her head and murmuring to herself, "So many losses... so many losses."

I don't know why exactly, but it cracks me up every time I think about it. The reminder was definitely worth the confiscation of a lack-luster pocket knife.