As a kid I used to love playing "hide and seek" and did so often with my girlfriends. One of us would be chosen "it" while the others hustled around finding hiding spots that kept them tucked out of sight. Unfortunately for those who were hidden, however, while they were careful to remain tucked behind clothing in a closet, or under a bed or shielded by some tall piece of furniture, they were helpless to contain the giggles that overcame them – allowing the seeker to find them by sound rather than sight.
And now I enjoy this same game with my grandkids. It is, indeed, easier for them to secrete themselves in various spots around the house than it is for me. I no longer seem to be able to fit under the bed or desk, nor can I camouflage myself among the stuffed animals on the family room couch. I did once try hiding under the rug at the front entrance. That didn't quite work, but it did bring about a fit of laughter and one long-lasting memory for the kids and me.
Recently I embarked upon a new game of "hide and seek" when, on vacation, I opened my Outlook program to discover that all my email accounts, folders and saved mail had disappeared. That was decidedly not fun. My life had been in those emails: personal correspondence, work-related contacts and information, photos that I had not gotten around to saving in my photo albums.
Did I panic? You bet I did! I called Earthlink support and was unfortunately connected to someone who was making it up as he went along. First he told me that there was no way to get the emails or the email accounts back. Then he decided that my email had been compromised and Earthlink had given me a new password. He then proceeded to give me that new password and I immediately recognized it as my husband, Joe's, password. When I suggested to Mr. Support Guy that he was incorrect on the password information he concluded that there was no way to help me and my email was gone forever. I hung up the phone, annoyed and slightly dejected but realizing that I had nothing more to do until I was able to contact my computer guru when I returned home.
During the ensuing time on our vacation I came to recognize that this was not – nor would it ever be – my biggest problem. I realized that life would continue whether or not I found those emails; they could be duplicated by reaching out to my contacts; and most were really of not major importance at all. I would set up my accounts again and slowly begin to rebuild my folders.
Upon returning home I did reach out to my computer guru and within a few short minutes he uncovered my missing email accounts, folders and saved messages. Whatever time I had spent worrying had been wasted time. Hopefully this unexpected game of "hide and seek" taught me to not fret unnecessarily about that over which we have no control. A tough, but very important lesson to learn.
And now, before the grandkids arrive for the weekend, I will get ready for a rousing game of "hide and seek." Finding missing email isn't important. Finding hidden grandkids is!