SQUEAKY WHEEL

By Hannah Brenchner

A few months ago, I taught a reflective writing class at a retreat in Pasadena.

I wish I could remember the context of the conversation we were having. I only remember a woman talking about always having the cart with the squeaky wheel at Target.

Regardless, I remember saying aloud to her, “I always have the squeaky wheel at Target, too!” My mind flickered to the many times I’d entered that glorious emporium with the big red bullseye, only to pull a cart that sputtered and shook as I wheeled it around the store. In those moments, there is always a brief few seconds where I’m sure everyone knows I have the loud cart. I hear myself barreling towards the dollar section– disrupting everyone’s peaceful shopping experience with my squeaky wheels and my malcontent of a shopping cart.

But then, after those few seconds, I forget about the cart entirely. I move around the store and never again think about the squeaky wheel.

We all believe we have the loud cart. We all think we are sputtering, stopping, and starting again; everyone is watching us in disdain...read more