This is the week I reminded myself that yes, I can fix stuff around the house. With the help of a YouTube video, I was able to replace the broken drain pump in my washing machine, although my natural bent to procrastination kept me from doing the task until almost all of my seasonal clothes had been used up.
The machine successfully ran constantly Wednesday through Friday morning, and now all my clothes are freshly laundered, except for the pajamas I’m wearing and my Thursday ensemble. The vicious circle turns again, but it’s back to normal.
It has also been a frustrating week. Summer just isn’t eating. An x-ray found stones in her bladder, and the non-surgical solution is a special diet, but remember the part where she just isn’t eating? I haven’t ruled out a hunger strike, because she’s acting normal otherwise. I don’t think we’re going to have to resort to surgery, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.
All of my life is Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, but I don’t want the creek rising anytime soon. There is always much worrisome stuff on the horizon, and I’ve reached that stage in life when mortality looms over everything. I have not fully processed the loss of Red — Mary the Hugger has become a treasured part of my life, but I still miss mon cherie and I guess I always will. Her memory is a constant reminder that endings are inevitable and the creek will someday rise up and overcome us all.
A guy could get bitter — but mostly I see it as a reason to be kind. We are all in the same predicament, so why not Love God and Love Your Neighbor and make it easier on one another while we have the chance?
The best we can do is the best we can do until we can’t anymore. That’s a brighter and more calming message than it may appear at first glance. It’s not a call to mediocrity and not caring how well we live — I did say “the best we can do,” after all — but knowing all things must pass is a reason to get on with those things and cherish it all while we can, not waste our time on the petty and the mean.
A neighbor might need a hand, so why waste time being angry and outraged over what’s out of our control? That serenity prayer is awfully wise advice, and if changing things is going to take courage, then we’d best get on with it — remembering always to do it with a giant dose of love.
