I Can Have It Now

“Are you going to Home Depot today?” my wife Debra asked. Since I was remodeling the bathroom, a trip to Home Depot or Lowe’s was an almost daily occurrance.

“No,” I replied. “I had no plans to go. Why do you ask?”

“I just found out that the March issue of This Old House magazine has an article in which they wrote about me,” said Debra. “Since today is the last day of March, I want to go get a copy before they pull them off the rack.”

Usually Debra could drive herself, but she had a foot injury and needed me to take her. I realized that I did need to buy something at Home Depot for the bathroom remodel, so I suggested we go at lunchtime, have lunch out, then go to the bookstore and Home Depot. Debra happily agreed.

After lunch, we went to the bookstore for the magazine. We found This Old House on the rack, but it was the April issue. I asked the clerk if they had any copies of the March issue and was told they didn’t because they have to take the covers off any leftover copies of the previous month’s issue and give the covers to the magazine distributor to get the next month’s issue. The leftover copies from the previous month are destroyed.

I asked if there was anyplace else I could get the March issue, and was told that this was the procedure everywhere and all the March issues were now destroyed because the April issue was out.

I thanked him and went on my way thinking I can’t have what I want from him. I’ll just go somewhere else to get that March issue.

Next we called the public library. They didn’t subscribe to This Old House.

We had no more ideas. Debra gave up and said she would contact the magazine and have them send one. But that would require waiting. I knew she wanted the magazine NOW, today, so she could post the article on her website.

As we were calling the library, I just drove right past Home Depot. I was in the wrong lane and couldn’t get over to turn into the parking lot. Debra said, “Aren’t you going to Home Depot?”

“I guess not,” I replied. Then I took her to the post office, another stop we needed to make, but there was a very strong smell of roofing tar. Debra said, “Don’t stop. I don’t want to breathe this!” Well, this took us around the block again, right past Home Depot!

So I pulled in and went inside to make my purchase, leaving Debra waiting in the car with her hurt foot. As I was standing in the checkout line waiting, I glanced over at the magazine rack. The March issue of This Old House was sitting right there! I bought it, of course, and Debra was so happy! She was right in the first place. We did need to go to Home Depot to get the magazine!

I could have easily agreed with the clerk at the bookstore and the librarian, who each told use we couldn’t get the magazine that day. But I disagreed with that barrier and by continuing my intention despite apparent failure, I was able to get exactly what Debra wanted, exactly when she wanted it.

We all have the power to do this all day long. We just need to remember to do it.