This week I take my virtual fountain pen in hand to write a few thank yous and send someone an important message. Let's open the mail ...
Dear Whirlpool,
Thank you for making a dryer that has lasted at least 18 years, and I'm sending additional thanks for what I hope is a simple fix. All John has to do is wrap a new 91 inch belt around the drum and the motor pulley, and my dryer should be back in business. After watching several youtube videos he has assured me that this is a 10 minute fix (but we'll see).
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Dear John,
Thank you for attempting to fix the dryer when we head back to MD. I know you've said it should only take you 10 minutes, but I am ready for it to be a bit longer, and I'm also ready to come be the very important work-light holder. (I may also be readying myself to hear some swear words. I believe they help lubricate repairs, especially ones with tight pulleys and even tighter belts.)
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Dear G'ma, (this is what I called my grandmother),
I felt pretty lousy during the first part of this week after my covid booster shot, so I decided to take your advice. I got up, took a shower, and got dressed, just like you always used to tell me when I felt poorly as a child. That didn't seem to help me feel any better, so I decided to take some more of your advice - take a walk and get some fresh air. I did just that, but see how that picture looks blurry? That was what my vision actually looked like because my head hurt so much. So I went back home, laid on the sofa, and remembered some more of your advice - things always look worse at night. They did at that point, but after I finally got a good night's sleep (and my headache and fever went away), I felt much better in the morning. All of your advice may not work all the time for every situation, but things almost always do look better in the morning. Thank you for all of the advice you imparted to me, and I've passed it on to my own children. (At least one of them believes some of it.)
P.S. You were 14 years old during the 1918 pandemic and I wish I could ask you what things were like for you. (But I'm also glad that you don't have to see another pandemic.)
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Dear Ryan,
I know that you hate shopping for clothes, but that may be the reason why you only seem to have three pairs of shorts and four t-shirts. I know you hated the thought of me dragging you to Target to buy some pants and long-sleeved shirts, but we were both pleasantly surprised at how quickly we accomplished this. The moment at the end was a little poignant when you said you didn't know if you deserved a $28 sweater. I was busily blinking back a few tears when the woman shopping nearby with her mother and daughter said, yes, she was absolutely sure that you did. She was right; you do deserve that $28 sweater and so much more.
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I wish you a lovely weekend with appliances working as they should be, people willing to fix them if they are not, good advice, and remember that you also deserve your own $28 sweater (even if your $28 sweater isn't actually a sweater).
I love your letters this week, especially the one to your G'ma. I'm glad you are feeling better and I'm glad you convinced Ryan that he deserved the $28 sweater.
ReplyDeleteWell, that was a poignant post, Bonny! A nice little essay to end the week. I love your letter posts. I much appreciate your thoughts for working appliances, but I am still having problems. I am confident that they will eventually improve after I find someone to fix them. (Thanksgiving will be a bit of a challenge, but what is life without challenges?) I also thank you, your grandmother, and my mother for the wise and womanly advice to continue on when you possibly can because there is no other option than to give up, and when you must give up, you have to remember that everything will look better in the morning. And tell Ryan that he needs to work on his self esteem and learn to value his gifts, whatever they may be. I am sure he has many! And I am glad you feel much better now from the side effects of your booster shot. I had miserable side effects as well. But it must mean our immune systems are working, yes? Have a fabulous weekend, Bonny.
ReplyDeleteYour G'ma's advice is certainly sound -- and I'm glad you heeded it, and I'm glad that it helped a bit. Best of luck to John - and you - as you tackle the dryer. "Holder of the Light" is a very important job! I trust you are up to the task. And I'm glad that Ryan was convinced that he most certainly deserved a $28 sweater. XO
ReplyDeleteI think your G'ma was very wise and had good advice for all of us. And please tell Ryan that he more than deserves a $28 sweater -- I think he deserves a hand-knit sweater (not that I'm implying you need to knit one, just that he is worthy of the time and effort it would take)!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the dryer repair!
I love your dryer story! (We had a Maytag that lasted some 30 odd years!) Good luck to John (and you) in your repair this weekend!
ReplyDeleteAnd I might have a tear or two in my eye on the Ryan story! I say as well... he absolutely deserves that sweater and so much more!
I love these letters! Ryan....you totally deserve that sweater. <3
ReplyDeleteThere is sound advice all through this post. Even if I don't feel 'good' I always get up and get dressed when I feel poorly. It helps me know I will not die from my ailment. :) So glad Ryan was convinced he deserved the sweater. Someone who says that is most worthy as he is humble. May all go well for you and John as the repair is undertaken!
ReplyDeleteHa! my son doesn't like to buy clothes either and same for my daughter! I don't mind at all. You got your money's worth with that dryer!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a week! You were blessed with your G'ma's good sense, and Ryan is blessed with yours. I hope he thinks of you when he wears his new sweater!
ReplyDeleteI hope Ryan thinks of you whenever he wears his new sweater! My grandmothers would give the same advice as your G'ma did...they were wise women! Hope you have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteRyan says he's saving the sweater for a special occasion (but it's really not that special of a sweater)! I'm glad to hear that there were others like G'ma dispensing wise advice. I often think of G'ma and what she would say or do. She was the original "don't give up" role model in my life and I miss her. Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteWhat great letters Bonny. Love your G'ma's advice...so true. And, yes, Ryan is very worthy!
ReplyDeleteWhat great letters. I am pretty sure swear words are necessary to good home repairs - at least they are at our house. Ryan sounds like he is more than worthy of that new sweater. I hope he wears it often in good health. I'm glad G'ma's advice got you through the Covid booster and I'm glad you are boosted.
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