A Backhoe and A Hammer

Since my soap opera was so rudely interrupted by this week’s news. It’s warmed enough for me to enjoy the day outside. It’s a busy little day for my neighbors apparently. The guys across the street are continuing to take down the dilapidated house. And the EMC guys next door doing a little remodeling to the maintenance offices. In fact it’s a bit noisy out here with the backhoe and the hammering. It kinda reminds me of all the noises, sights, and smells I experienced; on hundreds of constipation sites I worked throughout the years.

But time and a broken body have reduced that life to a distance memory. So now all I can do is sit in my rocking chair and watch. But that’s okay, I’ve accepted my fate. No longer do I fight myself to change what can’t be undone. But that’s enough feeling bad about me, because like the laundry blowing in the wind I can adapt and change. I laugh to myself watching that kid next door get frustrated when the old backhoe shuts off. Having to constantly restart the thing, I wonder if he knows to check the fuel filter for water.
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It is a hell when life does us that way, stopping and having to restart at the most inconvenient moments. The best you can do in those situations is take a breath and walk away for a minute. Getting mad and taking a hammer to it usually makes things worse. And while it may feel good in the moment, so to can just quitting all together. Learn to adapt to the situation and weight your options. While my physical role in life has been reduced to being a chauffeur and a housekeeper, I use my mind to create. Never give up on life. Never look at yourself and think, is this it? Stay engaged, stay brave, and never let circumstance steal who you really are.