SDJ #71626

Cinderella wasn’t kidding when they sang “Don’t Know What You Got Til It’s Gone.” I used to only apply this thought to pseudo-heartbreak from failed relationships.

But it is so much easier to appreciate all things once you no longer have them around.

I have a few examples;

A pain-free shoulder. (Sub shoulder with your current aching body part)

Gums that haven’t been recently bitten by your own traitorous teeth. You never fully appreciate the times when you do not have a bitten lip that you will bite over and over until it is eventually gone and you go back to not appreciating its absence.

Air conditioning in a Charlotte summer.

Our A/C started going out last Saturday. We noticed it was heating up in the house and when I went out back to inspect the A/C unit (like I know anything other than to check if there is ice), it started magically working again. So I thought my presence must have fixed it. Then it went out again the next day. They came out and said it was like a $2000 repair and would have to order the part. It finally came in on Thursday and will be fixed on Friday.

We lucked out with a high in the 70s on Monday night, but it has gotten hotter every day. Outside today (Thursday) it reached a “Feels like 103” that I saw. The cat who always begs to lay out on the porch in the hottest weather was content with laying in the bathroom where it was reading in the 80s with no airflow. At least I turn the fan on for him on the porch. But he seeks out the sun even on a warm day, so I don’t know why I’m worried about him in the heat.

Speaking of, we are on the porch right now at 11pm under the fan which feels more comfortable than sitting on the couch inside despite still being 83 degrees outside. The A/C people brought over a portable A/C unit that can cool down whatever room it is in for the most part. It has been moved back into the bedroom for the night, so the comfort level in the living room/kitchen area has dropped significantly. It did struggle today with the heat to even cool that space. However, the past few nights have been too cold for me with the overhead fan and the A/C unit full blast. If you leave skin exposed, it is a goner.

I can’t tell if the cicadas are talking to each other, trying to sync up or just screaming for fun. It may not even be cicadas.

I’m just saying, you should appreciate the A/C if you have it. While you’re at it, you should appreciate all the other things you have right now that may be gone tomorrow.