I updated my phonebook last week. Not the one that is stored in my phone. This phonebook is a small pocket-sized book that I bought many years ago to write down all the phone numbers of people I call regularly. I carried this book in my purse so that I would always have those numbers with me in case, for some reason, I was unable to access the numbers stored in my cell phone. Several months ago I bought a new, smaller, purse and when I transferred stuff from the old purse to the new purse I decided the phone book, that I had not used in over 10 years that I had been carrying it, was something I could do without.

A situation that arose last week made me aware of my error in thinking.

Here’s what happened. It was late morning when I ignored an incoming call because I didn’t recognize the phone number. It was over an hour later when I looked at my phone and discovered I had a voice mail. The message was from my daughter (#3). It went something like this – Mom, I’m at the airport waiting for my flight. I’m using the bartender’s phone because mine is not working. Could you try to call my phone. Also, I need you to get ahold of S (her boyfriend) and have him pick me up at the airport. You have my itinerary so can tell him what time and where to pick me up.

I tried calling her phone but my call went straight to voicemail. Then my phone rang. Caller I.D. showed the same unfamiliar number #3 had called from earlier.

When I answered my daughter asked if I had tried to call her phone. She explained that her phone had vibrated but when she answered it there was only dead air. She repeated her request that I contact S and ask him to pick her up when her flight got in since she wouldn’t have her phone to be able to call for an Uber or Lift ride. She was able to give me her flight information but what she couldn’t give me was S’s phone number. She did not have it memorized or written down.

A couple of years ago, when they first started dating, I had requested that she email me his name, address and phone number, as a safety precaution but I had never written it down or stored his number in my phone. I’m sure that info still resides amongst the many emails I have not deleted but tracking it down would take some time and effort. I asked if one of her sisters might have his phone number. She said that one of them might be able message him on Facebook.

When I hung up, I called daughter #2 and explained the situation. She wrote down the flight info and said she would try to reach S via Facebook. She called me back a few minutes later saying that she was able to reach him and gave him the information. I then called #3 back and told her that S would pick her up.

A few phone calls and a flight delay later #3 called me, from S’s phone, to let me know that he had picked her up and they were on their way home. I saved his number in my phone and added it to my (written) phonebook. #3 also agreed that she would make a list of important phone numbers to carry with her. Lesson learned.

Do you carry a list of important phone numbers?