The Day My Toaster Oven Went Up in Smoke
It was a Tuesday, and my trusty toaster oven, let’s call him “Toasty,” decided to give up the ghost. One minute I was eagerly awaiting the perfect avocado toast, the next, smoke was billowing out of Toasty like he was auditioning for a Cheech and Chong movie.
As I stood there, fire extinguisher at the ready (you know, safety first!), I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Toasty had been with me through thick and thin, from late-night study sessions fueled by pizza rolls to countless batches of perfectly golden-brown toast. He was more than just an appliance; he was practically family.
But here’s the thing: I loved him anyway. His flaws were part of his charm, just like our own quirks and imperfections are part of what makes us unique. We don’t need to strive for some unattainable standard of perfection. Sometimes, a slightly burnt bagel is just a reminder to embrace the imperfections of life (and maybe invest in a toaster oven with better temperature control).
Lesson #2: Learning to Let Go
As much as it pained me to admit it, Toasty was beyond repair. No amount of Googling “DIY toaster oven resurrection” could bring him back. And that’s okay.
It was a tough pill to swallow, but Toasty’s demise reminded me that everything is temporary. We get so caught up in our routines, our possessions, that we forget to appreciate them while we have them. Just like Toasty, relationships, jobs, and even that delicious slice of pizza we’re about to devour, won’t last forever. And that’s okay. What matters is that we savor them while they last.