Yesterday my poor MacBook got really sick. Like, it wouldn't charge, and said "service battery." Which was a bummer for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that I had spent the previous two days working on a roundup of cute Valentine printables which I planned on sharing.
#LifeIsHard #FirstWorldProblems #NerdAlert
In fact, I went to bed last night very distraught about my poor computer's ill fate (and that's an understatement, and a half).
Some days it just feels like nothing seems to go right. Ya know?
Your Plan A falls through. And then you remember your backup plan is either non-esistent, or sucky.
And... you just want to throw your hands in the air and yell "Wow is me."
"The world is crumbling," you think, 'cause it feels that way to you.
And no amount of reasoning - it's only a computer, it's not that big of a deal - seems to help.
So you sob. Uncontrollably. 'Til your chest hurts, like an elephant's been dancing on it.
All while your husband tries to comfort you, though he presumably thinks that you're completely crazy (and understandably so).
Eventually you drift off to a light, unpeaceful sleep, like a toddler after a really nasty, unsuccessful tantrum for candy.
Only you're crying about a computer, and your general bad luck with electronics/cars and (secretly) also about your inability to effectively deal with your emotions before you become a full-out basketcase. #WhenWillILearn
So yea, last night, not my finest hour. And I'm hoping some of you can relate, though not quite so specifically.
But today, do you know what happened?
The world didn't implode. You know that much (despite my predictions last night).
But also I discovered that not only was my computer salvageable, the two repairs it needed were covered free under my warranty.
Today I discovered that last night's troubles, the ones that had kept me up late into the night, thinking nothing would ever go right again, and that I was doomed to live in despair... ended up being nothing more than an a 30-minute fix, plus an excuse to walk around the mall, have dinner in the food court, and to spend an entire day with my husband.
Running errands, laughing at bad pop songs, and holding hands with a man I was lucky enough to marry. A man that held me close as I cried myself to sleep, telling me all the while that things would work out. A man that didn't say "I told you so" when we got the good news that the repairs would be free. He just stuck out his hand for a fist bump. And then we went on our merry way, not a cent less rich.
In a weird way I guess I'm grateful that all my struggle to post something Valentine's Day-ish has led me here.
To this post, this strange and winding one, that began about printable Valentine's art, but ended up being partly about a broken computer, partly about an irrational and overly emotional meltdown by me, and mostly (underlyingly, if that's a word) about LOVE itself.
Love that shows up to hold us, and to comfort us when we need it most.
And Love that also cheers us on, when we've got news worth celebrating.
Love that commits to going through the highs and the lows, together, as a team.
Love that doesn't leave you to wallow in self-pity, or sadness. But drags you back up to the surface, for fresh air. And perspective.
Love that's willing to get its hands dirty lifting you out of the muck and mire, but then cleans up real nice and maybe even walks around the mall (for two hours!!!) with you.
And Love that requires vulnerability, a willingness to be seen (even at your worst). But Love that makes all that scary letting-your-guard-down more than worth it.
Love that makes you grateful you're alive, even though life is sometimes hard.
Love that reminds you, encourages you, gives you extra reasons to breathe.
Since I can't go back and tell last night me to calm the heck down, and to let tomorrow worry about itself... to stop panicking and just be present and grateful for the many blessings in my life (regardless of how I felt at the time)...
Since I can't go back and tell my husband in that moment how much I appreciate him, and the great, big giant heart he has, or praise him for having so much more patience than I often give him credit for...
Since I can't do that I'll settle instead for passing along this story about the sick computer and the strange, panicky girl, in hopes it might save you a little trouble/time of your own.
And in hopes it might encourage you to listen a little closer to that voice assuring you "things will be fine."
Let tomorrow worry about itself.
Enjoy where you're at, even if it's not where you want to be.
Life might not be perfect - it never, ever is - but it's life.
It's up and down, joy and sorrow, sickness and healing...
it's a packaged deal.
Accept the good with the bad...
or something like that.
And be grateful for the company, most of all, 'cause that's what life is really about.
That's my Valentine's message, rolled up in a nearly incoherent nutshell. (Above.)
But because I'm stubborn (and 'cause I spent such a long time on them, and possibly blew my computer's brains out working on them) I'm also going to share the much cuter, saner graphics I rounded up. (Below.)
1. The typerwriter stole my heart in this set by AmyIsTheParty.
2. Candy & a game make for a super fun design by Dixie Delights,
found via another great Valentine roundup from TatertotsandJello.
3. These would make such cute stickers; thanks SecretAgentJosephine.
4. These adorable cards from MerMag make me want a button machine!
1. What girl doesn't love owls, like this pretty one from MineForTheMaking?
2. A set of four classic-looking cards from FPGirl on Flickr are perfect for coworkers or old friends.
3. Twig & Thistle's cute, grown-up goodie bags would be a great excuse to buy chocolate.
4. I love these nerdy chic NPR Valentines found via Katie Armour, with even more at NPR.org.
1. For the hipsters, a Converse-clad cartoon from EatDrinkChic seems perfect.
2. Here's a slightly sappy, very sweet greeting from SimpleAsThat.
3. Plain old awesomeness from TheRockinBoysClub!
4. A simple, straightforward sentiment from 74LimeLane.
I hope a few of you will use these digital goodies (or others) to surprise someone special.
Print something pretty for your coworkers. Email an encouraging salutation to your single friends. Or tell your Significant Other you love him/her with a doodle.
More importantly, I hope all of you will make sure and send some love, or better yet offer a hug this Valentine's Day.
A good hug makes almost anything better. And you can trust me on this, 'cause I
was dealing with a sick MacBook yesterday, so clearly, I know all about
grief, and comfort... #Don'tWorryI'mKidding #Mostly
I think the collage above means I must also be an expert on love. So this must all be very good advice.
In fact, I watched a Hallmark Channel movie Saturday, so yea; I'd say I've learned pretty much all there is to know about life.
All joking aside, using the world's most overly-marketed chocolate holiday as an excuse to spread some cheer, some encouragement, some lovely greetings, seems like a pretty good idea in my book.
So consider this my #HappyValentine'sEve/Day to you.
I hope it's a good one, overflowing with sweetness, both the cavity-kind and the comforting kind.
#WishingYouAllGoodThings
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