“Until The Bitter Weather Passes… “

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This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning. 
― John O’Donohue, 
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings

Yesterday was one of those days I wished I could have simply stayed at home. When the heating broke down in the office (it wasn’t just us, but the entire block), I was glad to wrap myself in my thick woollen cape I keep in my drawer. Freezing was an understatement, and when I called the building management, they were in the same boat, so I felt avenged.

Then, while taking out the grilled chicory out of the oven, the juices spilled onto my chest, scalding my left breast. Ouch. I was infinitely grateful for my mothers training to always, always keep a cold pack in the freezer (She raised me on ice packs, but I upgraded that to a gel pack, which is ever-present) and a universal medicinal balm for wounds and burns. Thankfully, I bought a new one last week! Moral of the story: keep the first aid kit fresh and updated!

I am not one to panic easily, and will go to the hospital only when in dire need. In spite of the pain, I did not think the situation merited a doctor just yet. I suppose my years as a development worker and Girl Scout leader makes me a bit impervious to accidents, and blood doesn’t make me squeamish. Even if I didn’t have the balm, I always have yoghurt and turmeric, which combined, make a phenomenal antibiotic paste.

Between the heater incident and the scalding, on my walk home from the bus stop I passed a few puddles. Night had fallen and the street lamps had been turned on. I chanced upon the most wonderful reflections and decided to stop and savour the moment, one of the photos is included above.

These are the little things that restore the balance in life again, no matter how awful the day has been. We tend to the wounds and move on, sans theatrics and armed with the knowledge acquired through experience.