The past week and a half has been a difficult one on a number of levels. My computer needed repairs and I hadn't backed anything up. My dog was sick all over my living room rug and every three hours after for the next day.
To top it off, my hot water heater went berserk on Sunday. I came home at midnight to find my basement flooded. I used the shop vac to get all I could, but I couldn't figure out how to turn off the water line. This meant whatever I vacuumed would just be refilled and the cycle continued. I couldn't even turn off the main water line to the house, so after almost three hours of crying, becoming irrationally angry, vacuuming, and having an overall massive pity party, I figured it couldn't get any worse. So I went to bed.
So yeah, these were some definite curveballs. But you know what got me through them?
Kindness.
Some writer friends sent care packages after hearing about my computer. Their cards made me laugh. The chocolate made me feel better. And the gesture absolutely brought me to tears. I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but just LOOK at all the chocolate! And a steampunk MG novel! And the glittery nail polish--I can't wait to do my toes! Eep! Girlie glitterness abounds!And what about that water heater, you ask? I asked my neighbor for help. He helped me turn off the water line, mop up the mini-flood, pull out the old heater, then buy and install a new one. All on his holiday. It took about 7 hours and saved me a serious amount of money. And he did it because he's a kind neighbor.
I've seen some amazing gestures of kindness this weekend and it warms my heart. I can't repay these people for their acts. All I can hope to do is pay it forward one day. Thank you friends, for your kindness.
And c'mon, June. I've had just about enough of May!
Sorry about your water heater! Thank God for your neighbor.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping your June is much improved!
Thanks, Alex. I agree--here's to June!
DeleteI'm sorry you had such a hard week! But what awesome people you have in your life. :) Here's to a better June...
ReplyDeleteHi, Jessica. You're right--I have been blessed with some amazing friends and super nice neighbors. I was VERY fortunate this weekend!
DeleteWow you had a tough week. Holy crap.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you loved the care packages :-) I <3 you like THIS MUCH.
Also, while i was reading this post and getting all weepy, my boss's radio was playing "Don't stop believing" by Journey. *tear*
And my CD player's belting out Radiohead's Ok Computer. I think your tunes might be a bit more uplifting!
Delete<3 you too. Seriously. Kindness times a gazillion. You are amazing.
Yikes, sounds like a rough week, but COMPUTER SAVED!!!!!!
ReplyDelete(And I hope your dog is feeling better.)
Thanks, Hektor. Yes, the patient is doing MUCH better. He also thought eating small meals of white rice, bread, and beef broth 3 times a day was a brilliant plan. Imagine his surprise when he got his regular dry stuff by Sunday night...
DeleteOh goodness, this makes me incredibly happy to read. People are so wonderful :) I'm SO glad your files are in tact and that everything worked out well. Yay!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juliana. I love nice people. And I believe in karma, so I try to remember all the good that has happened to me and will work to pay it forward!
DeleteI love when life proves that there ARE still some nice people in this world! :-) So glad kindness was given to someone that displays it herself on a regular basis!
ReplyDeleteAww, Kirsten, you're gonna make me get all teary again. PLEASE, JUNE--No More Tears! You hear me? *shakes fist*
DeleteAnyway--happy birthday, again!
Oh, June owes you big time!! Kind of a cool reaction though, to get so much help from people. It's always nice to see the love in action instead of just words.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got it all cleaned up. What a weekend. Have fun with your glittery girlie stuff. :))
I agree- kindness in gestures is amazing. When I opened the 2 care packages on Friday afternoon, I was actually at a loss for words. I just stood there and cried, and felt guilty for being on the receiving end of such niceness.
DeleteAnd my toes are gonna look AWESOME. :) Like footie disco balls.
So glad everything worked out with your computer! It's great to see your perspective. I was in a surly mood today because a bird pooped on me as I was walking into work...now that doesn't seem quite so bad. ;)
ReplyDeletelol! I've been on the bird poo receiving end as well. So annoying. Glad I helped put it in perspective!
DeleteI'm so glad you got your files back intact, and I'm glad you have a nice neighbour. When things go to crap, it's fantastic to know that people will actually help out just to be nice.
ReplyDeleteYou've made it my mission to do something nice for someone today, just for the hell of it!
Awesome! Just like that, I've started a movement--and an international one at that! Love it!
DeleteYay for kind friends and neighbors! I've had basement flooding issues, so I feel your pain. All that ripping out of sheetrock and replacing carpet and painting . . . Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you survived and are up and running again.
Thankfully, it's an unfinished basement. If I had to tear out sheetrock, oh man... this blog post would've been filled with pics and cleverly crafted insults to no one in particular. I called my house a number of bad names at 2 am Monday morning!
DeleteI'm trying to convince myself to clean it all out and make a work out room. We'll see. I really, REALLY want a writer/treadmill set up!
Yay on the computer! But boo on the flooding! We also had problems finding our water shutoff in our house as well. Nothing is more frustrating, because you know it HAS to be there somewhere
ReplyDeleteExactly! I went back and forth between crying tears of frustration, then berating myself for not being able to figure it out. "Tricia Conway, you are an educated woman--figure it out. Follow the pipes and turn the wheel. You can do this." Then I wouldn't be able to do it and the tears would start all over again.
DeleteAw! Despite the terrible times, I love how people lifted you up again. What a heart-warming post!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing. I had my computer in the shop for ten days last year, without even a smart phone to get on the web. I'm thinking I should invest in an iPhone just for the chocolate. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd so glad to hear your dog is well! If I could, I'd send him a big bowl of beef broth with huge chunks of real beef, plus a dozen steaks to your neighbor!
What amazing friends/neighbors you have!!! Sigh, all that chocolate... almost tempts me to sabotage my computer... grin... oh no, I take it back! Dear Lizzie Laptop, forgive my errant thought!
ReplyDelete