For some unknown reason I have a tradition when I travel. I always forget one thing. Sometimes inconsequential, my cell phone; sometimes inconvenient, my contact lens case; and sometimes tragic. It’s Saturday as I write and I’m about to fly to Missoula for my nephew’s infant son’s baptism tomorrow. His asking me to be the godfather was the biggest surprise since the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor (Belushi, 1978). This time I forgot. . . the camera. Truly tragic.

I’m making a checklist in the hope it’s a turning point. If checklist’s are good enough for Atul Gwande and other docs, they’re good enough for me. Maybe I’ll even alphabetize it. I have “C” covered, cell phone, contact lens case, camera. Other “must include” suggestions?