The Flashlight and the Outhouse

by Brandon
(Meridian, ID)

When I was about seven years old, I had an unfortunate incident while camping involving a flashlight and an outhouse. To make a long story short, I had to pee before going to bed. Being a kid and lacking any common sense, I attempted to unzip my fly and pee while holding the flashlight in my hand. Well, I fumbled the flashlight ended up in the deep void of the pit toilet.

Fearing I was in deep trouble, I broke down in tears as I walked back to the campsite and prepared to break the news to my parents. My mom was amused by the incident while my dad traumatized me further by threatening to lower me into the toilet to retrieve the still illuminated flashlight.

I still go camping with my parents every year and three decades later, I am still reminded to not drop the flashlight in the outhouse. I am happy to say that is no longer an issue since I now use a headlamp. And I will say that I am always sure that it’s snug on my head whenever I use the outhouse!