(Written but not shared 7 years ago)
One day when I was making bread in my Kenwood, it jiggled its way to the edge of the bench and over into the abyss below. My back was turned as it happened and I heard the crash turning in an instant, amazed and stunned to see it still kneading away on its side on the tiles on the floor.
I’ve still got that same Kenwood. I love it. It’s so sturdy and I remember the day it jiggled and fell every time I use it. It taught me never to turn my back when mixing something heavy like bread. But I also no longer have any choice in that matter as one of the grooves that locks the bowl to the base broke in that fall so I need to steady it with my hands to hold it secure while it mixes. That incident was 29 years ago.
The machine and bowl still serve their purpose – I just have to make allowance for the fault.
When I look at that bowl – of course I see the break – but more than anything I’m increasingly incredulous that the machine kept working, and still keeps working nearly 3 decades on.
We all have broken bits in our lives.
We can lament the losses – need to in fact. But not to stay in a perpetual place of lament where seeds of bitterness and discontent start to take root.
We can try and ignore the broken bits – and usually will find more issues arise by the pretence. Carrying on without adjustment leads to more injury.
We might be able to start fresh, replace the broken with the new – sometimes that can be a gift of God – a new beginning. And sometimes it’s impossible. The cost is too much.
So we need to accept. Recognise. Adjust. Appreciate what is more than what isn’t.