My water heater bonked out on me. In the early hours of the morning I heard some banging, then things falling off the wall, then water gushing.

Lovely.

Hot water all over the floor carpet.

The only thing I could think to do was rescue my extra tube of MAC lipstick in "twig" from the cabinet and call my landlord.

The water's off. Tomorrow's a holiday. I might be stinky and needing to pee badly by the 5th.

What do you do to survive when you have to go without one of life's conveniences?

-- Jackie (jackie@jackie.nu), July 03, 2000

Answers

I realize the situation is only temporary, and that I am truly blessed. Because I have things to "miss". I'm not homeless in America, I'm not living in war-torn Bosnia, I'm not starving in Siberia - I'm living in the most prosperous and powerful country in the world, and I can walk down the street and pick up whatever it is I need two (or three) of. In half the world, children will go hungry tonight. Sending my monthly check to the Christian Children's Fund won't fix that.....it doesn't ease my heart in any way. So instead, I try to be always thankful for everything in my life, and know that I am blessed. If the car breaks down for a week, or my computer crashes - I've still got a roof over my head, food to eat, and my health. When inconvenience strikes me, I want to be as brave and as strong as the actor Christopher Reeves, or Michael J. Fox. They both take inconvenience with class, and with the intent to benefit others from their misfortunes.

I must be feeling heavy thoughts today - sorry for the heavy response.....

-- Planet Earth (imagine@industrial-ideas.com), July 04, 2000.