I am blessed.
Last month right before Christmas, I had a ¼ poly line under my sink break while I was away at work. I came home ready to relax and play some World of Warcraft, but instead, was greeted by water pouring out of the front door. I had to find an emergency water extraction crew and try and get my possessions to high ground. Unfortunately, the carpet company I chose seemed to be more interested in eyeballing my possessions instead of cleaning up the mess. I spent the next week in paranoia of my house getting broken into. I also had to spend a week in a hotel room, which was most disruptive. Finally, because of the mess and my work schedule, I was unable to go home for the holidays. I was really sad that I was unable to see my family, but life goes on.
Last week, I finally finished recovering from the flood and had everything back to normal. Life was good again, other than work. I’m geared up to get a “Below Expectations” on my end of year review because, although I am indubitably the best on shift at repairing the equipment I’m supposed to, I am not a yes-man to all the engineers and exempts. Oh well. I’ll get by.
Yesterday morning, I once again came home to water pouring out of the front door. This time it was a different ¼ poly line under my kitchen sink that broke. I shouted at the world for about five minutes before I decided to track down a more reputable carpet company. I called up my good friend Frankie who came over without hesitation and helped me move, yet again, all of my possessions into the garage. I called my parents and let them know what had happened and they drove eighty miles just to be there with me and reassure me with their presence. Anyhow, during the move, I managed to strain my right thoracic something or other and had to take a medical leave from work. On the bright side, I came home (home home, not my house) to several unwrapped presents and when I opened them, all of my troubles melted away.
Right now I’m sitting at my parents’ house, doped up on Flexeril and Lodine and feeling rather miserable due to the side effects of these drugs.
I am truly blessed.
Why?
I have insurance that will pay for both flood incidents and the house will recover fully.
I have a good friend that will help me with anything, no matter how bad it is.
I have parents that would do anything for their 34 year old little boy.
I have an employer that cares about its employees such that taking a job protected medical leave of absence is very easy and painless.
The medical industry has developed drugs that made an excruciating pain go away completely. Yes, I have a few side effects, but they are very minor compared to lying in agony.
I have a family that loves me so much and knows me so well that the Christmas gifts they chose for me made everything better. I got a copy of The Last Starfighter on DVD and a homebrew starter kit. These were two things that I mentioned in passing and my incredibly sweet niece remembered. When I opened the gifts up, I collapsed in a heap and cried tears of joy. It’s the first time I’ve ever cried because I was happy and it was a very welcome feeling.
Life is good.