One Big Disaster vs. The Little Things

Small acts that we do for one another, stranger to stranger or friend to friend, no matter which way you look at it, the little things count. One horrible thing can happen that could be life rattling and leave you strung out. I had this happen last week, Monday…the first day of the week my nerves were stretched to the point of almost snapping. Our fifty five gallon tank leaked all over the floor. After using a carpet cleaner to suck up mostly all the water out of the carpet and then ripped down the ceiling of the garage below and tore out all the insolation, puddles of watered down insolation poured down on to our heads. Mark and I finally did all we could do to save our little place.

Look on the bright side: Perfect location for a horrible disaster. The water went straight into the garage and didn’t even bother anything we had stored there. Both neighbours walls and ceilings were left untouched by the water.

I got a text from my husband, ‘tank broke.’ Okay…hm…tiny little drip or glass shattered, water and glass everywhere? Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god…
I called up my boss and asked for the carper cleaner (water vacuum), without hesitation she let me take it.

Looking on the bright side: My Boss Kim lent me the carpet cleaner that saved the floor. It sucked up more water then all the towels and blankets Mark had used before I got home from work.

Saving grace: Mark is an owner operator of his own company, Mark B’s Painting and Home Renos, wonderful! He fixed it up with no problem. Electrical and supports were unharmed. The destroyed drywall and insolation was shoved into black garbage bags.

After the tare down we needed to wait for everything to dry before covering it up. It was 11:30pm, and I didn’t get to bed until 12…

The next morning I was exhausted. I drove to my coffee shop, in need of something strong. I ordered and like usual she asked for a form of payment…I looked everywhere…I couldn’t find my card…

The sweetness of a human heart: The woman at the till smiled and said, “it’s on me dear. Have a great day.” I almost cried on the spot. “Thank you so much,” I said then left with watery eyes.

I went to work, my horrible mood softened by the sweetness of one single person. I strolled in through the door. One of my adorable three year olds sat at the breakfast table, her cute smile and big blue eyes told me she was up to trouble. I placed my things down and turned to her with a raised eyebrow. She giggled knowing I knew she was up to mischief.
She holds up a cookie and giggles. “Cookie for breakfast, hm?” I ask.
She giggled again, her cheeks filled with a rosy tinge.
Her mom laughs, “it’s something new she’s come up with. A cookie for Teacher Chi-Chis breakfast.”
I take the cookie and eat it in one big bite. “Thank you. I really needed that.” I gave her a deep hug and carried on my day as if my whole night hadn’t been destroyed.

Icing on the cake: The thoughtful small cookie brought joy not only to me but to a child as well.

My thought on the whole event opened my eyes to the little things in life that we all take for granted. It’s hard to see the little things when something is so life rocking that we over look these little gestures.
What if we don’t have those kind of life shattering events? Be the best you can be. Smile at those around you, even if they look like they’re having the time of their life. Why? Because it feels good for both you and the other person. And who knows someone could be smiling and still have their fish tank destroy their home, making it feel like life is out to get them.

Pass on the good deeds of others.