So this is what they mean by a senior moment

We've all had the experience of walking out to a parking lot and thinking, "now where did I park?" Right? Have you ever had that experience in a very large multi-floored parking garage? I did. Today. If you're looking for an adrenalin rush, here's one way to get it.

My dentist is part of a university faculty group, which is affiliated with a large hospital in an urban setting. So, when I go to the dentist, an easy 10 minute drive from my house, I leave extra early because I know I'll need to find a spot in a very large, busy parking garage. No biggee. I really like the dental group, so I plan on a few extra minutes for parking.

This morning, my mind is a million miles away. Thinking about work. And the news. Thinking about the music I'm listening to in the car. Thinking about the fact that I need to make my son's first dental appointment. I nudge along, through the bustling parking garage, driving up at least a couple of levels. Finally, it's my turn at the head of the line, and I get to pounce on an open spot. Usually I make a mental note of the markings on the pillars near my car, before walking away. But today I'm distracted. I do notice the construction going on right outside the garage though; it's incredibly loud and it would have been pretty hard to miss that. At the elevator, my mind continues to wander, but I take charge of the buttons, scanning the group of women who board with me.

Off to the adjacent building, where I take another elevator and exit at the appropriate floor. My teeth are cleaned. Yes, I need to floss more. I know. Yes. Yes. Thanks. See you in six months.

Time to leave. I'm completely on autopilot, until I return to the parking garage. Where I have absolutely no idea which floor to go to. Not a clue where to go in the 6-story garage.

I don't think it's ever happened to me before. I mean, yes of course I've forgotten where I've parked, but I can usually get myself to the general vicinity of my car. A mild panic sets in, as others are calling out their floor numbers in the crowded elevator. I call for "3, please." I think I parked on 3, the orange level. Maybe. At least I've parked there before. I get off the elevator and walk to the far side of the garage.

I must have parked there once, but not today! I laugh. DOH! I remember looking out at the construction, clear across the garage. So, I head over, and walk the entire row, where I'm certain I parked. Not there. I could hit my key fob for a chirp, if I were in the neighborhood of my car,  but clearly I am not.  I wish for a long-range Clapper. A little more panic sets in. Either my car has been stolen or I'm on the wrong floor of the garage. But how could that be?

I can just see the reaction on my husband's face when I call him -- "Honey, you'll never believe this, but I've lost the car!"

Just then, I notice the yellow markings on the pillars. Hmm. Yellow.

Guess what? I didn't get off at level 3/orange.  Hunh. Well, at least I'm getting some exercise! Plenty of walking. And my heart's getting a good workout with all the racing it's doing. And there's nothing like a good adrenalin rush. I head back to the elevator area and take the stairs up one level to the orange floor.

At last, I spot my car.  Massive sigh of relief.

If this is my memory at age 41, I guess I'm pretty much doomed.

Maybe I should switch dentists now and cut my losses. While I still have a driver's license. And all my teeth.

Comments

[Em]

LOL...very funny. I'm the one in our family who always knows exactly where the car is. My wife just wanders aimlessly and relies on the kindness of strangers to help her along.

[nat]

You made me laugh SO HARD! I have done something similar, and I know the sinking feeling you get in the pit of your stomach. I can't say that things will improve, so eat lots of brain-food like salmon and pray for the best! (at 49 I'm practically giving up on the remembering things, so I write everything down like a fiend!)

[Melody]

Hehe... I know that feeling and your heart was no doubt in your mouth!

[Anita]

Oh my!! The whole six floor thing makes this story pretty scary.

Don't laugh, but one day I drove my husband's car to our tiny local supermarket. The parking lot had about 15 cars in it max, and it is big and wide open. When I came out of the supermarket, I could NOT find my car anywhere. I swear I was about to call the police. It finally dawned on me that I had NOT driven my own car and that I needed to be looking for my husband's. Which of course was right in front of my eyes.

Scary.

[kristi]

I've done this before. And I've also tried to open a car (another Jetta) that wasn't mine. Motherhood steals your brain cells, I swear to God.

[Uisce]

LOL, I'm 42 and totally capable of this kind of thing. OK, confession time. On one occasion I've gone out to the parking lot and searched and searched for my car to realize I had driven my truck and *ding* there it is!

[Bluegrass Mama]

Count me as another one who's spent time looking for the wrong car in the lot AND one who's tried to open someone else's similar car. I can absolutely relate to your experience in the parking garage, which is why my dentist is in a small strip mall.

[Marie]

Em,
I'm USUALLY on top of the whole parked car thing. This was just baaaaad.

Nat,
OK. Salmon it is. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner!!

Melody,
Yes it was. Along with my freshly cleaned teeth!

Anita,
LOL! Yeah, the parking garage is huge. It's not like I could quickly comb all the floors. It freaked me out a bit. At least we're all losing it together!

Kristi,
I used to do that when I had the ubiquitous white Honda. And I couldn't even blame motherhood then. Sigh.

Uisce,
We all need long-range Clappers. I'm convinced. Ones that call us by name.

BGM,
There's something to be said for small strip malls. I'd be screwed if we lived in a large city. Though then I'd rely on public transportation. I'd probably miss my stop though!!

[vw bug]

I have a silver Honda minivan... so does everyone else in this county. I have walked up to the wrong car so many times I quit counting. Stay away from the cars that everyone buys!

[Lisa]

OMG! That's too funny. I think I know where you're talking about too. ;) I lost myself in one of those on an ER visit a couple of years ago with our daughter...I was flipping. And we have a green minivan that seems to be quite popular - I walk to the wrong one even in the Walmart parking lot!