By Staff
Chuck Bodiford Publisher
Have you ever had one of those days; one where you find yourself asking the question, "Why did I get out of bed?" We often find ourselves asking this question when we feel that we have been treated unfairly, or don't deserve whatever slice of bad luck we have received. A week ago today, I found myself asking if not all of these questions, at least one.
The morning seemed to start off pretty good, little did I know what was about to happen. I had everything set to go and was about to walk out the door for a Chamber meeting, when my wife, Steph, asked me to go to the garage and find something to defrost for dinner. "No problem," I said as I headed out the door, only to find out those nine footsteps later, there was definitely a major problem. As I cracked the door to my garage, a collection of smells gathered together to create an unimaginable aroma, one that could only signify trouble.
I courageously walked in the garage and gave an inquisitive glance to the 16ft deep-freeze sitting innocently in the corner. I can't remember, but did the actual thought of, "maybe it's not the freezer," go racing through my mind, or was it the lack of mental presence that possessed me to take my next action.
For whatever reason, my sense of smell wasn't proof enough, I had to see it. With a firm grip I yanked the door of the freezer open only to confirm my suspicions that it was most certainly the freezer.
Finally around 11:30 I was able to break away from work, making sure that I handled whatever I had planned that day. Now the fun was about to begin. I borrowed my dad's truck and changed into some clothes that I didn't mind burning. Because of the cool weather, a bad situation wasn't made worse. After I got the freezer cleaned out, and the contents bagged and away from the house, I had to do something with the freezer.
At this point you might be wondering what made the freezer quit in the first place? Let me tell you, after I emptied it, I began sliding the freezer from the walls. As, I pulled it away, I began to notice all this dirt on the floor. This dirt was not just dirt, but an ant mound that had grown up behind the freezer and inside of it, which I figure was the reason the compressor and motor quit working. I finally got the freezer loaded on the back of the truck and legally disposed of.
If that was the end of my problems, that wouldn't have been too bad, but while I was cleaning, I noticed that a neighbors pet had been hit by a car. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I was available to help, but I find it a little disheartening that someone would run over a pet in a residential neighborhood, and not stop. And I helped them bury it.
While, I sit here and type this, I guess I have answered my own question of why I got out of bed. That day I was presented with distinct challenges, or as one of my mentors would say, opportunities, and by the day's end they were all resolved. I guess what it boils down to is the way you choose to look at things. Last Wednesday, I'll admit it, I had a terrible outlook; but now looking back on the situation, my outlook concerning that day is a lot more positive. So, with that said, how's your glass? Is it half full or half empty?
Chuck Bodiford is an Atmore native and publisher of the Advance. He may be reached by calling 368-2123 or by email at chuck.bodiford@atmoreadvance.com