Maurina and I returned to our Lopez home from Guatemala last night. The first sign of a problem was a puddle of water in front of our fridge. It seems that during a recent power outage on the island our fridge failed to restart. No Bueno.
Over the next hour or so we filled garbage sacks of spoiled previously
frozen and refrigerated food. Including a five-pound king salmon steak that a
friend had given me before we left. We sopped up the water around and puddled in
the fridge. I gathered up some ice and we filled our cooler with what we could
save.
I texted a guy I know. Retired from life as a restaurant owner, Jeff has since carved out a nice little business for himself as an appliance repair man on the island. After a series of text, he diagnosed the problem as a failed start capacitor. A "simple fix" he claimed. But he has a pact with his wife that he only works Tuesday – Fridays. So, we would need to make do. I told Jeff, I understand, and we will see him next week at some point.
After our time in Guatemala, I am struck with how quickly we
settle into our comforts without a second thought. How many large side-by-side,
high-capacity fridges did we see during our home visits in Cotzal? Yes, the
fact that we need to go without our fridge for a few days is an inconvenience.
However, it is indeed a first world problem.
I am reminded again of the importance of keeping things in
perspective and living a life of thankfulness and gratitude
I am thankful this morning. I woke up in a heated home. I am
thankful to have a fridge, even one that needs to be repaired. I am thankful I know
a guy who can fix it, and I have the money to pay him. I have the money to
replace the spoiled food and soon my fridge will be refilled. I am thankful it was a fridge that failed and not a person.
How easy it is to reenter our life here and forget about our
abundance. During our last debrief in Guatemala, we were asked “what we wanted to
take home with us from the trip”. I want to always remember, that I need to
live a life of thankfulness. That most of what I perceive as obstacles are in fact,
first world problems.
This morning, I am thankful that I know a guy who can fix the fridge. I have a friend who has offered to loan me a mini fridge (and bring it right over) until ours is fixed. I am thankful for the resources that will allow me to restock our food.
I want to remember to keep life in perspective.
