May
27
I lost my debit card, yesterday.
Did you read that? I lost my debit card!
Don’t worry. The bank has been notified and the card has been cancelled, so there’s no need to panic. Still, this loss is tragic for me. I mean, my debit card: Lost. Sure, they’ll send me a new one and I can use Dave’s debit card until then, but it’s sort of like taking my cousin to the prom because my date backed out. It’s just not the same.
I had a special relationship with my debit card. I can hardly remember life before it came along. Checks, bills, coins – I said good-bye to all of them after I met my debit card. It was so easy and convenient that soon, we did everything together. I didn’t go anywhere my debit card wasn’t welcome. I knew the number, the expiration date, even the three digit security card on the back by heart. I probably could have identified my card by touch alone. My fingertips had memorized the swipey groove I’d always trace just before handing it over to pay. I loved that card and always took loving care of it until yesterday.
Yesterday was a busy day. Julia had swim class in the morning and then we went shopping. After we got home, I had so much to do: laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, writing, reviewing…and procrastinating all that work took a lot of time and effort. Before I knew it, it was almost time to wake Dave up for work and I had yet to make him dinner. I sped into town to pick up something quick, but couldn’t find my card when it came time to pay. Panicked, I looked at the cashier and screamed, “MY DEBIT CARD IS GONE,” and ran off.
All the way home, I replayed the day’s events to try and surmise where my card might be. The last time I used it was to purchase this dress for Julia earlier:
I remembered checking out. The cashier was a young boy named Shiloh. I can remember thinking, “Wow, a pre-Brangelina Shiloh. Wonder how he came to work here… He looks a lot like Nick Simmons. I kinda like that Shiloh kid.” I remember signing the receipt. I remember him handing me my copy and my debit card. I remember reviewing the receipt on the way to the car while Julia jumped in mud puddles. I remember getting into the car and noticing two dudes hanging out in a van parked near us and thinking, “They look like they’re up to no good.” Then, I thought I remembered putting my card back in my wallet, but it wasn’t there.
I got home and checked the car I’d taken shopping and couldn’t find it. I ran into the house, out of breath and sweaty, screaming, “I LOST MY DEBIT CARD!” My parents came running and soon the whole family was searching. Since they had the house covered, I grabbed a flashlight and went outside to retrace all my steps. I even caught myself calling out, “Where are you debit card?!?!” It was nowhere to be found. I came back inside and managed to get Dave up for work, fed him some hot dogs and packed his lunch, all while having a full fledged freak out. Once he was out the door, the rest of us piled into the car to go back and search the store parking lot with no success. We returned home around 11:30 p.m. Defeated, I retreated to bed and dreamed of my poor, lost debit card sitting on hard, wet concrete, all alone, cold and in the dark.
This morning, I called the store to see if my card had been turned in there, but it hadn’t. I left my name and phone number, just in case it turned up. Reluctantly, I called the bank to cancel my card and put an end to a longstanding relationship with one of my best friends. Although I can’t use it anymore, I still hope it shows up. I need the closure.
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I’m so impressed that you were able to pack him a lunch and fed him a hot dog while you were frantic. I would have been a mess. I wonder what happened?
Its kinda refreshing to meet someone else so attached to their debit card. Cleatus is always trying to get me to go to the ATM and take out cash and I REFUSE to do that. It’d be like cheating on the debit card and I am not a cheater, damn it!
Also, do your parents live with you? I was looking at something on some other part of your site and saw something (why yes, I am detail oriented!) about your mom (or was it Dave’s mom?) helping plant flowers after moving in and I was just being nosy.
Being nosy. Its what I do.
Yep, we’re part of one of America’s fastest growing demographics: a multi-generational household. See? I told you I was cutting edge.
Wow! I love my debit card, too. My husband thinks it’s nuts that I never have cash on me. Ever. I can rattle off the number over the phone without even thinking about it. I can type in the number on the Old Navy.com check out form faster than I can type my full name.
I feel for ya. I hope you get the closure you so desperately seek… or you’ll never be able to have a healthy relationship with the replacement card.
Several years ago, my debit card expired but I had moved and I didn’t know that the credit union doesn’t allow those to be forwarded. I was on my way to New Orleans for the weekend when I discovered my card had expired and didn’t work. Holy Nightmare, Batman!!!! I felt like my right arm had been cut off.
I’m with SusieJ – Good form pulling together lunch and a hotdog for Dave in the midst of crisis.
Here’s a little something for you…. (I don’t know how to make it a link but here it is anyway.)
http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=1709292454634M202432922Y&product_id=
R.I.P. Debit Card. You’ll be sorely missed.
So sorry. I didn’t know anyone can get so attached to their debit card.
Tragic really. Not laughing at you, but near you is all.
I don’t carry a card any longer and use only cash here. Which is interesting on many levels. First I had to get used to the idea that just having coin in my purse still meant I had A LOT of money (1 and 2 euro coins in the pocket make for a lot of jingle) and second, I spend A LOT LESS money when I don’t have a card to swipe willy-nilly everywhere I go. It makes me really think through every purchase when I know that I need some money in reserve to buy, say, milk for the children.
BUT, I do understand the panic of losing that card. I hope you get your closure, and I am glad you got the thing cancelled before someone who was up to no good used it to buy big gulps or something.
Loved the line about procrastinating. And that you called out “where are you debit card?”. Both of those were out loud laughter moments.
Thanks. I needed that.
Oh no! I have an attachement to my card too. I hope you get your closure, and get your new card soon.
BTW…that dress on Julia is really adorable!