Jill's Journal: Still too young to be old

I haven’t decided if I’m getting old and forgetful or if perhaps a parking lot was simply too dark and too big.

I’d like to believe it’s the latter.

My “soul-searching” predicament came to light following Brandon Valley football team’s 24-0 win over the Harrisburg Tigers on Friday night. After snapping several post-game photos, I was eager to head home to the recliner, as it was just 8 o’clock, thanks to a 6 p.m. kickoff and the run-happy BV Lynx.

Perhaps this is where the “old” part of my personal “soul search” surfaces.

Of course, when I steered the Buick into the parking lot at Harrisburg High, it was about 5:30 p.m. and there was still plenty of daylight to mark my territory. My partner in crime – Wilma – and I were nearly giddy as we spied a number of open spaces in the lot, despite a heavy trail of Brandon Valley and Harrisburg fan traffic. 

I won’t deny that I’ve hunted for my car in this very same lot several times over the years. In my opinion, the black asphalt, the long, long row of parking spaces and not-enough lighting are to blame. 

As Wilma and I waddled our way into the parking lot, we walked and walked and walked. But my Buick was nowhere in sight. Of course, I hit the car’s key fob dozens of times, which a whole lot of other people were doing at the same time.

But much to my despair, we never saw the lights pop on or the alarm sound.

So, we divided and conquered the parking lot. Up one row and down another.

Yet, the Buick was still MIA.

About this time, my heart rate bumped up a few notches, and I was convinced that someone had stolen my car.

It was also this same time when we met Ryan and Amy Dulaney in the parking lot, and without hesitation, we shared our dilemma. At the same time that the Dulaneys offered to drive around the lot, I high-tailed it to the Lincoln County deputies who were still on scene managing the traffic. I’d barely shared my dilemma, my name, address and description of the car when my phone rang: It was Wilma and praise the Lord, the Buick had been found. Apparently, it was hiding behind a big, white truck further down the line than either of us had remembered parking.

So, was it old age or the dark parking lot to blame?

I’m going with the parking lot, because in my mind, I’m still too young to be old.