I finally found it. It was in a file drawer at the doctor’s office.

I thought I lost my mind, but when I stopped by to pick up my MRI’s of my back, the nurse asked me if I needed my brain.

“So, that’s where it is!” I said. “I’ve been looking for it for years now.”

I’m scheduled to see a neuro surgeon in mid-August. Just a follow up to a potential back problem my doctor discovered recently. Before I can see the surgeon I needed to pick up the MRI films. So last night a stopped by to get them. I was told to come by in early evening and they would have them ready.

They didn’t.

So I sat in the waiting room across from a beautiful elderly woman. She had “Barbara Bush hair,” soft, white and full. Her skin was supple and the lines around her eyes were evidence of difficult times. Perhaps a few from smiling. But tonight her face showed concern.

I know when God is setting me up. He makes appointments for me to meet people who need to talk. He knows I’m a good listener and when prompted I say what He wants me to say. I have in fact found myself arguing a bit with Him when He wants me to do or say something I’m not particularly comfortable with. But He always wins you know.

“Hello!” I said.

“Good evening to you!” She replied.

“Are you waiting for someone?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m waiting for my husband to have an MRI done,” she said. She never turned to look at me. She sat with her head down looking at her shoes and nervously wiggling her feet.

“Oh, I’m here to pick up some films of the one I had done. They tell me they have my brain on file. I was looking for it all this time,” I said trying to get her to smile. She said nothing.

“You know it’s not a difficult procedure. They even let you listen to music,” I told her.

“I know. I never had one. But my husband Bill has had a few through the years. That’s what I’m worried about,” she said.

“Why are you worried?” I asked.

Then picking her head up slightly and looking at me with a side glance she said, “We’ve been so healthy until now. We’ve done so many wonderful things together. What would we do if we had to stop?” She asked.

“Remember!” I said.

“What?” She asked.

“It’s one of the greatest gifts God has given us. The ability to remember the good times and learn from the bad. We have this massive computer and built in Polaroid camera that stores all of those wonderful things for the times when all we can do is remember, ” I said.

“Mr. Perks?” The nurse said from the office window. “Your films are ready.”

I excused myself for a moment as I signed the necessary papers taking responsibility for them.

“I included your films of the brain in case the doctor needed them,” she said.

“I need them more than he does. Now I have proof to show my wife I do indeed have one.”

Then the grandest idea came to me.

“I don’t know if you’ll appreciate this or not,” I said to the woman in the waiting room. “But I want to share my life with you.”

She suddenly picked up her head as if to look at me like I was crazy.

I cleared the table that was in front of us and pulled out the films that showed my brain.

“Look here, that is where I first told my wife that I loved her. And here, this is where the sweet smell of my Mom’s bread pudding is stored. This off to the side is the Christmas I spent in New England. Wait, I think this very spot is when the doctor said “it’s a boy!” And my first son yelled “YES!”” I said holding the film toward the ceiling lights.

She sat there quietly not saying a word. I continued.

“Stored within this mass is everything I ever did, said, smelled, tasted and saw. There are hundreds of rainbows. Thousands of flowers, a million laughs and yes, more tears than I can count. But when ever I need to, I can recall it and for that moment experience it again. The magic of it all is that sometimes I don’t even have to try. I get a whiff of pine tree and a dozen Christmases come rushing in. I can see my Father’s face and everyone of my relatives both past and present,” I said. “I’ll also one day remember meeting you!”

She sat up and turning toward me she said “Thank you! You are right. I really needed to hear that.”

I said, “I know. That’s why I was here.”

Then the door opened wide and this sprite old gentleman came dancing out.

“Honey. Great news. I’m having twins!” He shouted.

Everyone laughed, including his wife.

“Now let’s go home and get packing,” he said “Don’t forget we’re visiting the kids tomorrow. Remember?”

She shook her head and looked back at me and said, “Remember? How could I possibly forget?”

Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com