New Regime

About a month back I ran into a rock. A flying rock. A rock of indeterminate size. It whacked my windshield. At home, I looked for a sign of impact. Found none. Thought I was lucky. About two weeks later here came a crack running from left to right, starting from the edge of the windshield. It was in my line of sight, and I could see rainbows whenever I wanted. I found the impact site, a tiny crater of crushed glass. Not the end of the dinosaurs but the end of my windshield.

I drove up to north Austin yesterday and got it fixed by a nationwide company whose entire business is built around repairing and replacing windshields. It took less than an hour. Plus, I got new windshield wipers. Cool. Now I have new car glass for the new plastic lens in my eyes and I really can see clearly now as I drive down the road. It was nice to get the repair done. I have to wait two days before I wash my car, but that’s ok. I just washed my car two days ago after I got my oil changed.

I sort of view this effort as the start of my new repair regime. Yesterday, when I got home, I got the paint cans out for the interior and exterior painting I want to do. Interior is mainly repair of picture hanging holes. Right here where I type to my right, I see five. They would not have survived, if my wife were alive. They will be gone today. Exterior is for the front and back door. A good wash. A touch of sandpaper, and off we go. I’ve getting back in the game. I can’t live with my house and my life crumbling around me. I’m pushing back. Shoring things up. I’m going to find a place to stand where I can look around and go, yeah, this looks good. Because what’s done is done and now it’s up to me.

John W. Wilson is the author of The Long Goodbye: A Caregiver's Tale