Finding the rainbow in the storm
I woke up Monday morning to a strange sound coming from my bathroom. I wheeled myself into the bathroom and found water pouring from the bottom of toilet tank. There was at least a half an inch of water on the floor. I shut off the water behind the toilet, opened the tank and found the entire flush valve system needed to be replaced due to a faulty rubber washer. Not something I wanted to tackle.
I went to the local home improvement store and bought a new one then came home and changed out all the needed components. It was then that I discovered I needed a replacement braided supply line for the toilet that connects the water to the toilet. The plastic nut attached to the hose had broken off in the night. That was one of the reasons for the leak. I made a second trip to the store, made it home, fixed the toilet, opened the water line, adjusted the water level in the tank and all is well. No more leaks.
To repair the leak I had to mop up a ton of water from the floor. I got more wet cleaning up the floor than taking a shower. Of course I had to take a shower afterwards anyway but wasn’t planning that kind of adventure.
The unexpected happens though, doesn’t it? Sometimes it can be really sneaky and creep up on us, but it happens. Each day is a journey into the unknown. One day you may wake up and discover the sun shining and the next day find yourself in the middle of a storm that is spinning out of control. That’s just how life is. Add multiple sclerosis into the mix and it becomes an outright adventure.
We have gone through our entire existence up until this point in time knowing that each day is unique and filled with change. We try to find ways to predict those changes, but even the weatherman gets it wrong most of the time. Living with MS is no different.
One day you may wake up with a new symptom starting to develop…but you may not. You may notice numbness increasing…but you may not. You may feel more weakness…but you may not. Just as with life, MS changes day to day, and sometimes minute to minute.
When you are newly diagnosed, that can be a scary thing to face. Change isn’t easy. But as time passes you begin to find a routine in a life of change. As strange as that sounds, you do.
This morning, don’t focus on the storm MS has brought your way… look for the rainbow. All storms have them if you know where to look. Put your rain boots on and go splash in the puddles. Find something to smile about. Do something you enjoy. You might get wet in the process, but that’s all just a part of living.
Then dry yourself off and find something to smile about. I’m smiling about having the sense to be able to repair my toilet without calling a plumber to help. No huge bill to pay. Anytime that kind of thing happens it makes me smile.
1. Simplify your life.
Great words of wisdom So sorry had that! But I needed hear your positive spin! Been so depressing thinking about all things can’t do anymore…there was a time could’ve fixed a toilet….IMPRESSIVE that you can and did! Smile and know that you’re being patted on the back!
Aww, and smile yourself because I’m proud of you for hanging in there. You ROCK. xoxo
You are amazing!! Thank to for the positive spin today!! Blessings!
You’re welcome. 🙂
a friendly reminder penelope:
you are such a very special person. gratitude for all your posts. you’re a blessing.
also, congratulations on fixing your toilet
Thanks bunny. hugs. xoxo
Hey you ROCK Ms Penelope 🙂
🙂 🙂
And so do you Tiffany. xoxo