Merry Christmas! Hope the holidays are treating you well! I have a story, apropros for the holidays, I would like to share with you that reminded me of my blessings, gratitude and unanswered prayers.
Two short days ago, it was my birthday. I had a plan. I was going to drop No. 2 son off to school, head into Manhattan, wonder around aimlessly and escape from responsibilities and the holiday frenzy for one day. It’s my favorite thing to do and would have been my birthday present to myself. However, when I woke up I kept hearing the automatic water feed on the boiler turning on. When I went to investigate, I found a large pool of water near the boiler and hot water tank. Ughhh! Immediately, I grabbed some towels to sop up the water and tried to figure out the probem. Was it the hot water tank? The boiler? I located a hissing sound from a nearby pipe, but couldn’t figure out the exact spot where it was coming from. I called the emergency number for the plumber I use as the $$$ signs started rolling in my head. Thankfully, I remained calm. I got a call back shortly, they could come around 10am. So I got No. 2 Son ready for school, asked one of my mom friends to drop him off for me and continued soaking up the water while waiting for the plumbers to arrive. I sent Mr. DIY a text that read “boiler probems, basement flooded, Merry Christmas!”
Turns out, the return pipe of our heating system was leaking. They temporarily patched it to last through the weeekend. It could be patched or the entire pipe could be replaced which means ripping into our recently renovated bathroom and basement. I heard $500, $1700, not including all the repairs to the walls, tiles, etc. that would have to be done afterward. Althouh I tried to control my face, I felt it contorting as the plumber told me my options. After he left, immediately I started thinking about Plan B. I called my neighbor contractor who finshed our basement and explained the problem to him. He came over within minutes to take a look and called his plumber friend for back up. My neighbor advised me not to rip into the walls and patch the spot instead. Best of all, they could do the repair. Sounded good to me! I love having a handy neighbor friend next door because , as handy as Mr. DIY and I are, we don’t mess with plumbing and electricity.
By now, you must be thinkiing, “exactly why am I telling you this story?” Here’s the thing. My birthday took an ugly turn and at first I was a little disappointed, but almost instantly I began to count my blesiings. We have a home, food to eat and our health. This is a small problem that can easily be resolved. In the midst of discord, upsets, strife or setbacks, I choose to count my blessings.
And since my birthday plan took a nose dive, what is a DIY girl to do? Yeah, you guessed it! I completed a project that was begging to be finished. Actually, another one of mom friends, Andrea, asked me if I could repair a chair for her months ago; July to be exact. It sat and sat and then It was one of those fabric covered parsons chair. Even the legs were covered in fabric. The chair was made of plywood and her sons leaned back on the chair and the one of the legs just snapped. I had opened it up and removed the fabric, and Mr. DIY repaired the leg long ago, but I wasn’t motivated to redo the upholstery. Well, it is now finished! It lifted my spirits and took my mind off of my spoiled plans.
When I went to pick up No. 2 Son from school, another one of my mom friends, Geeta, made brownies and all my other mom friends and our children sang happy birthday to me in the school yard. It was payback (the whole point is to embarass the recipient). I started this when Geeta aka “three-six” and the youngest one in our mom circle was belly aching about turning 36. I had made cupcakes and we had also sang to her in the school yard. Anyway, it was freezing and everyone shivered as they sang, laughing all the way through. It was funny, touching and reminded me of the Garth Brook’s song Unanswered Prayers. By the way, the song was made into a Lifetime movie. Loved it as well. Have a listen.
Had I gone into the city, I would have missed this experience. An unanswered prayer or birthday wish can also be a blessing and my plumbing mishap was a reminder of that.
For all who celebrate, have a Blessed Christmas. Enjoy!
