We all forget things once in a while. Life gets busy, the mind gets cluttered, we might be in a rush and before we know it, something that was meant to be top of the list just slips our mind. Most times, it's the minor things that don't matter so much, they might not ruin our day, so no biggie. But it doesn't always work that way. There are times when one forgets something that will ruin the day for the person and even people around . I experienced that once upon a time.
It happened on a Saturday. I had to help take my aged aunt to the hospital. She wasn’t feeling too great and had done some lab tests and X-ray scans earlier in the week. That day, we had a follow-up appointment to see the doctor, and I was responsible for her everything, the transportation, and most importantly, the lab results. She handed them to me earlier that morning, and somehow, I still managed to forget to put them in my handbag.
The hospital was on the other side of town, very far. The kind of far that you wouldn't dream of making a double trip back home because you forgot something.We sat for hours, literally, just waiting for our turn. The place was full, and everyone looked exhausted and anxious to get called on, including us. You know that moment when you’re so close to getting things done and all you want is to finally hear your number called? That was us. So, imagine the relief when the nurses finally called our number to go in and see the doctor. In my head I was already doing happy summersaults like "let's get this over with and go home".
As soon as we were asked for the results, I reached into my bag... and my heart dropped. The paper wasn’t there. I searched and searched like it would magically appear, but nothing. I had left it at home. The one document that the doctor needed to assess my aunt’s condition and give her the right medication, sitting at home on the table or my bed or wherever I might have left it, just like that. I couldn't believe myself Then I looked at my aunt, and her face said it all. After all that waiting, I had forgotten the most important thing. She didn’t even have to say anything at first, the silence was heavy enough. When the words came, they were not sweet. The scolding started and honestly, I didn’t even blame her. We were both already frustrated and tired, and now this. The part that made me want to beat myself up was not noticing I didn't come with the results all the time we were just sitting and waiting. I would've done something and the situation wouldn't have to that point where it was our confused looks against the doctor's not so happy one.
I had to start making calls. Everyone I could think of. My cousins were all at work, and I was already going crazy. Thankfully, one of them agreed to leave work after so much pleas and head back home to get the results. But that wasn’t the end. Because the hospital was so far, I had to take a bus back to meet up with him at some point on the road to collect the paper. Another round of scolding followed from him to, and again, I didn’t blame him. I was tired, hungry, and the snacks I bought couldn’t even hold me. My brain was not even braining anymore.
I finally got the result and headed back to the hospital. But because we had missed our slot, the doctor was now attending to patients who came after us. He couldn’t stop halfway through their sessions just because we returned. So, we had to wait again. That waiting period was another test of patience. I couldn’t even look at my aunt anymore because one look could trigger a fresh round of scolding. I just kept bickering at myself mentally. I kept replaying the mistake and all the stress I had caused everyone. I had disorganised the day, stressed myself, my aunt, not to mention the inconvenience I caused my cousin, and the wasted time.
Eventually, the doctor called us back and attended to her. By the time we were done, it was so late that getting transportation back home was tougher than a tortoise shell. Everything that could go wrong had gone wrong.
Since that day, I made it a point to always get all my stuff ready the night before I go anywhere important. I make sure everything,keys, files, purse, papers, is in place and packed. I’ve come to realize that the rush in the morning can easily make you forget important things, especially when you think you’ll remember. That’s why I prepare ahead. And honestly, it’s been working. I’ve not had a repeat of that disaster, and I hope it stays that way.
