Not Just Braggin’ (96)

Yesterday, April 5th, was ‘No Complaint Day.’  I took the pledge to try to make it through the day with no complaints and, although I faced many temptations, I honored my pledge.

Now, may I please unburden myself?

My car was hit by a sneak, hit and vanish, driver, and I use that word loosely, in the grocery store parking lot.  I don’t know how parking is where you live, but here people can’t seem to just do head in parking.  They have to pull completely through a space, then head the wrong way down the aisle to exit.  At first that driving habit seemed to be restricted to the elderly and I kind of understood it.  After all, it’s hard to turn your neck enough to see to back out and perhaps your vision isn’t what it was at 40 or your medications have taken away some of your flexibility and judgment.  But, now it is executed by all ages, usually to get through a parking lot quicker or with more ease. 

Anyway, it appears that someone, in pulling straight through an angled spot, scraped the front passenger side of my car and headlight.  Nice big gouge and scape with a big chunk of paint missing.  Needless to say, I was chagrined but managed not to say a word, until right this very minute.  I did try to look on the bright side and was glad my headlight was not broken.  Also, their car most likely has more damage than mine.

When I got home from work, the yard was full of garbage.  Yes, it was garbage pick up day and sure enough, the extra bags, paper cups, heaven only knows what, and other objects from other people’s trash, were there waiting for me to pick up.  Because my house is at a curve in the road, not a ‘quiet cul de sac,’ but a curve, it is the collecting point for all the trash and leaves of the neighborhood to gather.  And, of course, it won’t just blow away on it’s own.  I picked some of it up, without a complaint until this very minute, and left some of it.  I know it will be there, waiting for me later this morning.

Falling on a Friday, ‘No Complaint Day’ was pretty well timed.  After all, most of us like Fridays better than the other work days and for most of us, they are usually pretty good days.  Friday is the harbinger of the weekend and good times to come.  Not too much can happen to upset us because we know we have two full days of fun and rest in front of us.  Well, of course, there is housework, errands, laundry, visiting relatives, etc., but still there is usually enough time to squeeze in some moments of pure enjoyment.

I thank you for letting me unload the complaints of yesterday. I’m not sure how long I could keep up not complaining. Maybe every other day would work out, or maybe just having a ‘no complaint’ Friday would be good each week. That would be something I could live with and maybe I will give it a try.

But now, it is 5 a.m. Saturday here in St Louis and, for right this very moment, I have no more complaints.