Day 1806: Keeping perspective

Throughout the night, a high pitched whining noise pierced our sleep and raised alarms.  I thought it was the white noise machine, but Steve got up early and found it was a valve on the supply lines to the upstairs.  The plumber came in early afternoon and discovered the engine of the valve is faulty.  Because it is an old unit, they would have to drain the system upstairs from each section upstairs and then cut the supply pipe to replace the motor.  That would take couple hours and a few hundred dollars for labor.  Of course this has to happen when Colin and April are coming home tomorrow.  There is still heat upstairs as long as the downstairs thermostats are calling for heat.  We'd let the wood stove cool off earlier in the evening so the thermostat would continue to call for heat.   Complicated.

So, what should we do?  We planned on replacing the furnace later this year when the weather is warmer, but it makes sense to do it now.  If they install a new boiler, we get all new valves and they can drain the entire system from the basement.  However, they are totally booked for about two weeks with people who have no heat at all.  We can wait.  Amy has a few space heaters we can borrow if the rooms get too cold upstairs.

Steve injured his back on Wednesday and was not able to get into the chiropractor until Monday.  He is in misery.  So, I went off shopping on my own which was a pleasure cause I do it at a much more leisurely pace.

At the checkout counter, i ran into an old friend, a woman I knew when our kids were growing up and swimming together.  I barely recognized her until she spoke.  My heart nearly broke seeing her with a scarf over her bald head and her face swollen.  Chemotherapy, she said.  She's being evaluated next week and then will know whether she is done or needs three more treatments.  She joked that her husband suggested she get a wig for going out.  "F---, I don't want a wig!"  But, she confided, "I have one they can bury me in."  I couldn't hug her because of the germs, but I wished her well and I fervently hope she can beat her cancer.

It was an important jolt for me.   I must remember all my many blessings, most especially my good health.  I can't ever forget that I have the strength to continue the fight when so many others can't.

A beautiful Christmas arrangement from our friends Amy and Dan. 

Another reminder of our good fortune.