A BAD DAY

My next door neighbor, ""Debbie", lost her husband to cancer four months ago. He died six weeks after his diagnosis of cancer. Debbie is a very organized and structured person. She looks at what needs to be done and moves forward completing those tasks. She is very open and honest with her feelings as well. She knows grief is difficult and she will have moments that will be hard for her. She does reach out often and will ask her friends, family and neighbors for what she needs.

There is a water reserve located over our back fences. We have had tremendous storms over the years and have never been threatened by that water. That all changed a week ago as a horrific storm came through. There is a water runoff on the other side of our home that water was gushing out onto our front street flooding everywhere. Water was rushing in our backyard heading to the side of our house. Fortunately we had a trench along the side of our fence which kept us from getting flooded.

Debbie's home and the two homes next to her on the other side were all flooded. All three homeowners are now in the process of ripping out carpets etc. Speaking with Debbie about her situation, she will express the difficulties and how tired she is. Speaking with her earlier today, she said, "I hear people complain about having a bad day. I just smile and realize that it isn't a bad day at all." My heart knows that Debbie has experienced a bad day four months ago and knows she will get through the next days and weeks doing flood repairs. She shared, "Life is all about perspective." Yes, Debbie, you are so right.


A BAD DAY　

Four months ago her husband died
after being diagnosed only six weeks before.
He struggled and fought to no avail,
dying peacefully one night in her arms.

She grieves recalling that bad day
trying to cope with it all.
She has excellent support from family and friends,
accompanied by deep and insufferable pain.

One week ago her house flooded
after a horrific and dreadful thunder storm.
She is now in the process of cleaning things out;
completely removing all that was once kept downstairs.

She'll need new carpets; she'll need new floors.
Cabinets in the kitchen will have to be removed.
Sheetrock will be cut to replace with brand new.
Plastering and painting galore.

After all she's been through, she'll still truthfully say;
"Grief is so compelling as I think of him every day,
but being flooded out with so much to do
          doesn't even come close
                   to being a bad day."