Oh… dear, sweet friends… how I wish this was a metaphor…
I have many stories that I could share from the past week
(and I probably will, over time), but I’m not sure any is as aptly profound as
the one when the ceiling of the downtown apartment, in which we are living
part-time, fell down.
Not too long ago, as I was laughing about our current
housing situation, an acquaintance described me as, “from another planet.” I took it as a compliment… strangers and
aliens and all that. As a planner, I’m
not always great at adjusting and adapting on the fly, but I’m getting better
at it all the time. I’m learning to let
go of so many expectations and to
live in the given moment, whatever it may hold.
So, even when the roof caved in, I took a deep breath and
went on with the next couple of days. I
am a firm believer in the concept of doing what I need to do. I had things I needed to do, so I did them…
Welcome to the department of redundancy department…
However…
When I went to pick up some things I needed for work and
realized they were covered in dust; I also realized something else. I had reached my breaking point. I took about ten minutes to consider this,
while my husband took several loads of the kids’ clothes and toiletries down
the stairs to our waiting vehicle. Then
I joined him so we could drive to a friend’s home (where we had already left
the children) to spend the night.
Except… The van
wouldn’t start.
So, I laughed again, because—seriously—only one breakdown per
day…
At this point, we proceeded to walk the half mile to the
place where we are staying. We were
carrying and rolling bags… and sleeping bags…
down the street… in sweats…
Shaking my head, I stopped to consider whether this is the
kind of solidarity I really want to display in my life. I mean…
OK… I guess… But I couldn’t even post this, last night,
because I was so overwhelmed.
This morning I recognize that my short journey in the dark
and cold, carrying as many essentials as I could (and… apparently Phil’s
Mountain Dew… see selfie… no, wait…
I’m not posting it…), ended at a warm house with a comfortable bed. So, even when things are as frustrating as
they possibly can be, the irritations in my life aren’t anywhere close to the
suffering of many others around me.
I don’t want to be cliché or attempt to provide easy answers
for impossible questions, but I think the best I can do, right now… as I
prepare to walk to work in the falling snow (in my flip flops)… is to give thanks. We’re here.
That counts for something, right?
Honestly… somebody please say, “right!”
L.
Right!
ReplyDeleteRight!
ReplyDelete^^^ Thanks! :)
ReplyDelete