I should have remembered

I was intently watching the car park meter slowly printing my ticket when a woman’s voice behind me said “Would you have a 5P piece?”

I said “Yes, I think I have” and checked my change and, sure enough, there I had a 5P.  As she counted out the penny coins to exchange for the 5P piece she said ” I should have checked my change before I left the house!”

Almost absentmindedly I responded, as we exchange the coins “Ah, life’s full of shoulds”

She stopped, looked at the ground and in a quite thoughtful tonality said “You know, it is…” I never thought of it that way!”

We exchanged friendly waves as we, having displayed the tickets in our respective cars, headed off on our separate ways. Never to meet again, no doubt.

A life of shoulds

It was an off-the-cuff remark on my part.  It wasn’t intended to be particularly profound.  And yet, sometimes profundity just sort of sneaks up on you!

Because, when you think about it, many of us live lives that are, indeed, full of shoulds. Continue reading →