I'm Losing My Red

I’m losing my red.

I first started to lose my red when I dropped my cute, red, point-and-shoot camera in a London airport. Helen was just so cute walking along pulling her little suitcase, that some ridiculous idea came across me that I could (because my right hand was full of stuff) take out my camera with my left hand, push the button to open it and take a video of her —all, while walking and getting farther behind the rest of the group. (Yes, you guessed it. I’m right handed. And yes, it was a stupid idea, which resulted in my cute red camera having the back pop open…right at the beginning of our Great Britain vacation with the kids.) After we arrived at our B & B in Cambridge, Jay and I both futilely tried to push the sides back together.  Eventually, Joel walked over, peered down at the camera, took it, smashed it back together (either because he is stronger than us, or he didn’t care to be careful), and it clicked right in place. Though the screen had a few bubbles in it, it worked great for the rest of the trip. I have pictures to show for it…if I ever get them posted on facebook.

The real death of the camera came on our anniversary. Well, really the day before because we generally get to spend our actual anniversary sitting in before-the-start-of school meetings that every teacher in America find inspiring and beneficial. So the day before our anniversary, we made a picnic lunch, consumed it at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and hiked up a trail. All was well until it began to rain, then pour. Though I tucked the camera in the pocket of my rain blazer, it was thoroughly soaked when we slid into the truck. Alas, the display on the back has been black ever since. Pictures it will take, but looking through the view finder is not my idea of fun. Jay said, “You just need to get a new camera like my new one.” “Do they come in red?” I responded. “No, just silver or black, I think.”

Then tonight we went to look at new phones. Our phones are old…way over the contract period. Jay wants a new iPhone when they come out. We decided to scout around the AT&T store to get an idea of our options for the other 3 phones. Right away, we found great little phones for our moms. They’re flip phones, have large number pads, and pretty much look and function like their old ones. Then it came to me. I wanted something I could text on if I ever decide to learn how to do that. I wanted something that looked a little more “with it.” (I feel like I need to keep up appearances with these teenagers I share life with 5 days a week.) Touch screen, it had to be. I gazed longingly down the row. Not one red phone in the entire store. So, in a couple of weeks, I’ll switch out the sim card from my cute little red phone and slide it into a classy, but black, phone…with a touch screen.

I’ve also noticed that my little red purse is looking a little worn around the edges. It’s handy with little pockets for all my cards. But I do have a bag that I bought this summer that would work well this winter. You guessed it. It’s a nice black fabric.

Yes, I’m losing my red. I see it slipping right away.

I guess in reality I began to lose my red years ago, one hair at a time. I’ll never quite forget the time I updated my driver’s license, and they changed my hair color from red to blonde…without even asking.

Now, I don’t have anything against black. It’s classy, sophisticated, and sexy. I just happen to think red is fun. And I do want to push into the future, but I’m sure going to miss my red.