Crap Happens (A story about how a toilet taught me a lesson)

The toilet in my guest loo was acting up.

 

A trickle of clear liquid on the floor at first. Then a rising water level after a flush for a few days.

 

Both red flags I tried to ignore, I must admit.  I had plenty other things in my plate and because there was another loo just next door, I figured I’d get to the sick one when I did have the time. For good measure, I closed the door to the loo.  Out of sight, out of mind you know?

Well, even a 7 year could have told me that playing Ostrich never ever did work.  The writing on the proverbial wall got bolder and the loo issue just got worse.

 

Eventually, I had to call a plumber.

“It’s blocked” he said, his long dreads safely tucked under a beanie. “You know with what hey?” His wink was telling.

 

My mind raced to all the things I’d been bottling up. The unspoken words. The unprocessed emotions. The should-haves, would-haves and could-haves. Crap (every pun intended) that was fighting to be released, giving me little warning signs clear as day.

 

As I watched him whip out his black plunger and unpack the detergents, I did a little prayer of release too.

A prayer for:

Pain that needs to be shared

Emotions that cause inflammation 

Regrets that cause sluggishness 

You know? Trash that needs to GET OUT!

 

I couldn’t tell if the mild headache was from the emotional “detox” or the digits he was writing on his bill.

 

But, one thing is certain, the mess had been totally avoidable.

 

So, please do allow me to inspire you to DEAL with your “debris” this week.  Journal, scream, talk, sing, paint, pray but DO get your flush on.

 

You can thank me later.

 

© Aluta continua, as they say.  A Heart Full of Stories, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Whilst we don’t know the origin of the pic above, all respect and due credit are hereby given where appropriate. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lee-Ann Mayimele and A Heart Full of Stories with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All media rights and copyright for the words reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feathers appear when ANGELS are near (A story about a lady cleaning my room)

I was sitting and writing in my hotel room, watching the bluest sea go up and down like digital musical notes while a lady who looked just like my late mother went about her business of cleaning my room.

 

I kept changing my position slightly in order to stare at her, wondering each time if she noticed. I was feeling naughty, bad, sad and weird all at the same time. It’s hard to explain.

 

I finally let up the espionage to take a walk along the beach.  She called back at me “Lady, you dropped something”.  It was a feather which I quickly picked up in a big red blush!

 

It was then that I felt this immense sense of Gratitude.

Gratitude for her presence,

Gratitude for the lesson,

Gratitude for way the dice landed placing me in a position to live the life I do,

Gratitude also for the luxury of being able to travel, write and tell YOU about the things that touch my heart.

 

I dreamed of days like this, I must tell you.

Days of random magic,

heart swells,

ocean air,

pink sunsets,

…and days when the old saying “feathers appear when angels are near” rings beautifully true.

 

I wish YOU days of “magic” too.

 

© Aluta continua, as they say.  A Heart Full of Stories, 2017

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Whilst we don’t know the origin of the pics used, all respect and due credit are hereby given where appropriate. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lee-Ann Mayimele and A Heart Full of Stories with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All media rights and copyright for the words reserved.

 

Have YOU ever stolen someone’s shoes? (A life lesson about surrender)

My intention was clear: it was either me or those rotten shoes!

 

So, I snuck into his bedroom at 5am, determined to execute my top secret mission. Yes, of course, you guessed it. He woke up at that very moment. I mean, which secret mission is without that drama?

 

“Morning boy” I said, quickly shoving the shoes down the front of my onesie (hoping they land somewhere decent).

 

I could not live a day longer with those damn worn sneakers! Actually, “worn” is too kind a word. The things were finished! Both big toes had pushed through the front, the rubber on the bottom sole was thinner than rice paper and the shoe fabric had faded from a bright red to salmon pink.

 

My son and his favourite shoes were causing me and my ego irreparable damage and I had to do something.

 

Yes, he did cry.

Yes, “we” searched “everywhere” for the shoes.

Yes, he was devastated.

Yes, I consoled him.

And, yes, I will surely have to pay for his therapy one day.

 

But, here’s the thing:  I also taught the kid an important LIFE LESSON and I’m not talking  “bad things happen to good people”. Not even “some people don’t have even have shoes”.

I was thinking more along the lines of the Serenity Prayer.

I reckon he’ll thank me later. For now, I am praying that the WISDOM thing is swift.  

 

© Aluta continua, as they say.  A Heart Full of Stories, 2017

 

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Whilst we don’t know the origin of the pics used, all respect and due credit are hereby given where appropriate. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lee-Ann Mayimele and A Heart Full of Stories with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All media rights and copyright for the words reserved.