Earliest Memory: A Father's Tale.

I once asked my dad about his earliest memory. I guess after 60 some years of living, those childhood memories begin to fade. He almost drew a blank. One he did remember was from his grade-school era... Maybe 4th grade? It was remembered due to high emotional content. Namely, the emotion of embarrassment.

He was dressed up in a suit for a relatives wedding. He was at the church. Not his church. An unfamiliar one. Though young, my dad was a man... Still is. Though not as young these days. Time has a way of doing that.. But back then, even though of young age, he still followed true to the male stereotype. Evolutionary genetics I suppose... He didn't like to ask directions. Even when the directions needed were how to find the nearest bathroom.

He was a resourceful lad, or so he thought. And, he was a lad who had to pee. That 10 year old brain started clickin' and clunkin' "It's sorta okay for men to pee outside..?" he thought. Well sort of. He found a nice spot. A little nook between two walls of the church building. "if I just stand real close to the wall... Nobody can tell what i'm doing!"

He doesn't know if anyone saw him. But he stood so close to the wall in fear of discovery, that urine splattered back onto him! Soaking his suit. No clothes in which to change, he went through the wedding... And reception... urine soaked... and drenched with humility.

"That's when I learned, it's better to ask for directions." Lesson learned.

David