This actually happened. I got off work early, so I was looking forward to a nice warm evening at home. NOT A CHANCE!

First off, the rush hour train was delayed 40 minutes. This never happens. It’s no fun waiting outside in cold weather for the train to arrive. My frustration was growing as I tried to stay warm.

Finally, the train arrived. People pushing and shoving to get on the late train. We were like sardines. I dislike trying to make myself as small as possible on a rush hour train.

I arrived at my destination, it was very dark. I walked to my car. It wasn’t there. I walked up and down the street again, no car. I park there every day. I was SO COLD. Panic set it–WHERE IS MY CAR!  Was it towed — not tonight, I thought!

As I plashed through puddles, I wondered who to call to find my car (police). A lady came up to me wanting to use my phone. How odd, pitch dark, freezing cold and she wants to use my phone. I was not in the mood to be a good samaritan. My phone only had 10% battery left. I had to call the police. I told her my battery was low, what did she need.

GET THIS — she could not find her car! What? I told her I could not find MY CAR either. Suddenly, we were kindred spirits on a mission. This was a weird night.

I called the police. They started asking their questions, i.e. Where did you park? Are you sure? By the fire hydrant? Did you leave 8 ft? What color/make of car, etc.  OK, let me call the towing company.

Good news! One car found, the lady who I met had had her car towed. Ok, in the scheme of things, NOT good news, but on a cold rainy night, good to have car found.

My car, not towed. My phone about to die, I told the police officer, I will re-walk the street looking for my car and call back.

Freezing cold, no phone battery left, I walk the street. My car is not there. I head home. I call the police and they ask me to file a lost car report. Before I do that, I told them I want to look for my car again. Officer said, if someone has stolen my car, bad things could be going on with my car, better to file a report. She offered to send a police officer to help me search.

At home, I charged my phone quickly. Took off wet coat and shoes. Found a dry coat/ shoes and headed outside again. Officer arrived, at first appeared unfriendly. Started with the questions again. I was tired.

Ok, I think, I know I lost my car, but is that such a big crime? In my defense, the last time I lost my car was in my early 20s and that was due to stupidity. I was young, late for a show, parked and didn’t pay attention to the name of the street. A police officer came and helped me drive around and found my car. So, I have been good for many many years — no lost car, until tonight! Memories were flooding back.

The policer offer told me to go back in the “warm house,” he would survey the street for my car and report back. 5 minutes later… GOOD NEWS – car found.

I’m happy and embarrassed to say this. The officer found my car. My car “was” where I thought it was, parked in front of a fire hydrant, but it was on the street BEFORE the street where I normally park. Obviously, I was half asleep this morning and didn’t quite make it to the SAME STREET I normally park on. THANK GOODNESS for police cars with flood lights! Officer was very nice and happy to have found my car.

So — what was I supposed to learn from this? THAT is what I thought. Why was I meant to go through this ordeal on a cold rainy night? I have to give this some thought.

FYI — last week, rushing, not thinking, I got a street cleaning ticket! This week, car lost.

Tomorrow — Maybe I need a pad of paper in the car with a calendar.  1) Check date for street cleaning and 2) Verify what street I am parking on.

It’s not even April Fool’s Day yet!

Welcome winter!