This is so great, especially how you turn things around beginning with this line: Enjoy my dirty underwear and my one shoe!” I cackled, with no one in earshot.
Seeing the silver lining is a gift—and you have it!!!
Thanks for reading - yeah, I laughed about the absurdity of that for a long time. Something about my brother: that year for Christmas he learned how to fold a little origami shirt and put some cash in it for me to buy some new clothes/shoes. I'll never forget the other silver lining/kindness.
Thank you. And thank you so much for reading. The way the snow blurred the road definitely mirrored the not-knowing embedded in that experience (and the not-knowing of that age and stage of my career)
Getting things stolen is a violation. I'm sorry you experienced this.
When I was in college in Iowa, I would ride home during vacations with athletes living near NYC. On the return drives to school, we'd meet at Penn Station. One time, while waiting with my parents with my suitcase beside me, some random guy suddenly grabbed my bag and ran. Luckily, my Big Ten football player friend arrived at the same moment. The guy dropped my bag and disappeared into the crowd....crime averted.
It's kind of sad that we can't be more trusting...but here we are. And it's okay, we can incorporate some healthy paranoia and call it....common sense! Have a good trip :)
Thx! And oh…tee hee. I tried to write this one several times without any references to skating but I realized I needed it in there. (Why else would someone have a “work event” up on Lake Placid, NY? ha!)
I love this, Jocelyn. "I realized that we often don’t know how a given event happened, or why, and we may never find out." This is one of those statements I've thought so many times in my life, but you put it into words so beautifully. Great piece and huge congrats!
About 20 years ago I had my leather work bag that was a Christmas gift from Ben and brand new bright teal wallet from my mom that was in the bag, along with my iphone stolen out of my car at a gas station as I walked around the car to take the pump out of my car. It took all of 10 seconds. The anger and violation is so hard, including anger at myself.
Great piece! It took me back to my early days, as well.
Yeah, I was also really mad at myself. We are trying to teach our 13yo to keep track of his stuff (like: if you just leave it around....this is what could happen) but it takes a while to learn that. I want to exist in (and impart) a state of trust rather than paranoia...but it's just not the world we live in.
Of course it wasn’t our fault, you should be able to trust leaving something alone. Funny enough I was most upset about the teal wallet that I never could find again. Sometimes it’s the little things that stick with you.
Being able to find a silver lining is an important skill to acquire, too.
When I was 20, someone stole a winter coat I loved from the back of my chair when I wasn't paying attention. It had no real retail value but so much sentimental value to me. It was like the first adult stylish thing I owned that felt like represented who I wanted to be in my twenties. At the time, I was going through a breakup and the loss of this jacket felt like such a personal slight even though it had nothing really to do with me or my life. I channeled so much suppressed rage and emotion over losing it. I still think about it sometimes and I miss it lol
I GET this. Ugh! I have always been sentimental about (some) belongings and I think they can hold meaning, and perhaps additional meaning at certain times of life ie through a break up in your case and some work unsteadiness in mine. Sorry that happened to you.
Thank you. Yes, I think we have to be really aware: of our belongings, of our surroundings, our selves, sadly. But we can do it, and we can still have fun. Have a great trip.
This is so great, especially how you turn things around beginning with this line: Enjoy my dirty underwear and my one shoe!” I cackled, with no one in earshot.
Seeing the silver lining is a gift—and you have it!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for reading - yeah, I laughed about the absurdity of that for a long time. Something about my brother: that year for Christmas he learned how to fold a little origami shirt and put some cash in it for me to buy some new clothes/shoes. I'll never forget the other silver lining/kindness.
I hate that this happened to you. Thank you for writing about it and getting into the emotional turmoil of that drive.
Thank you. And thank you so much for reading. The way the snow blurred the road definitely mirrored the not-knowing embedded in that experience (and the not-knowing of that age and stage of my career)
Getting things stolen is a violation. I'm sorry you experienced this.
When I was in college in Iowa, I would ride home during vacations with athletes living near NYC. On the return drives to school, we'd meet at Penn Station. One time, while waiting with my parents with my suitcase beside me, some random guy suddenly grabbed my bag and ran. Luckily, my Big Ten football player friend arrived at the same moment. The guy dropped my bag and disappeared into the crowd....crime averted.
Ooh! Close call - thanks for sharing Dianne.
Yes, it's a really strange feeling no matter how it happens.
So human and irritating and funny! About to travel and this essay will be in my mind helping me keep my head on straight!
It's kind of sad that we can't be more trusting...but here we are. And it's okay, we can incorporate some healthy paranoia and call it....common sense! Have a good trip :)
Great essay! I suspected it was written by you when I read about coaching ice skating. And there you are!!
Thx! And oh…tee hee. I tried to write this one several times without any references to skating but I realized I needed it in there. (Why else would someone have a “work event” up on Lake Placid, NY? ha!)
Indeed - and having spent summers in Paul Smiths, I know Lake Placid well!
oh wow!
I love this, Jocelyn. "I realized that we often don’t know how a given event happened, or why, and we may never find out." This is one of those statements I've thought so many times in my life, but you put it into words so beautifully. Great piece and huge congrats!
Thank you Heather - Yes, I guess it’s a reality we have to accept. I don’t love it but hey what can we do. Appreciate you reading 💛
About 20 years ago I had my leather work bag that was a Christmas gift from Ben and brand new bright teal wallet from my mom that was in the bag, along with my iphone stolen out of my car at a gas station as I walked around the car to take the pump out of my car. It took all of 10 seconds. The anger and violation is so hard, including anger at myself.
Great piece! It took me back to my early days, as well.
ARGH. 10 seconds! I'm sorry that happened.
Yeah, I was also really mad at myself. We are trying to teach our 13yo to keep track of his stuff (like: if you just leave it around....this is what could happen) but it takes a while to learn that. I want to exist in (and impart) a state of trust rather than paranoia...but it's just not the world we live in.
Of course it wasn’t our fault, you should be able to trust leaving something alone. Funny enough I was most upset about the teal wallet that I never could find again. Sometimes it’s the little things that stick with you.
Being able to find a silver lining is an important skill to acquire, too.
When I was 20, someone stole a winter coat I loved from the back of my chair when I wasn't paying attention. It had no real retail value but so much sentimental value to me. It was like the first adult stylish thing I owned that felt like represented who I wanted to be in my twenties. At the time, I was going through a breakup and the loss of this jacket felt like such a personal slight even though it had nothing really to do with me or my life. I channeled so much suppressed rage and emotion over losing it. I still think about it sometimes and I miss it lol
I GET this. Ugh! I have always been sentimental about (some) belongings and I think they can hold meaning, and perhaps additional meaning at certain times of life ie through a break up in your case and some work unsteadiness in mine. Sorry that happened to you.
I’m so sorry that happened. Ugh 😑 It’s a great reminder to me as I’m about to travel for a few days so I’m grateful I read this. ☺️
Thank you. Yes, I think we have to be really aware: of our belongings, of our surroundings, our selves, sadly. But we can do it, and we can still have fun. Have a great trip.
Thank you! You’ve helped make it better and safer. 🙏🦋
I bet not!
We might as well learn from our mistakes - AND learn to not be too trusting (unfortunately)