Fr. David’s Folly
Over the past 3 three years, I must have backed out of my garage hundreds of times. It's a comfortable fit but there isn’t mega room to spare.
However, the other morning all that went awry as I scraped the winged mirror on the right-hand side thus ‘liberating’ the outer shell and the next layer inside. Fortuitously the light/indicator still worked and the mirror inside can still be adjusted.
Full marks and high distinction go to the local car people who took compassion on me and already have ordered what is needed. I then had to telephone the diocese as they own the car I relentlessly drive around in. Our local trusty Registra guy Peter, could not have been nicer and more understanding. All the while of course I felt more dreadful and cranky with myself.
“How could I have done such a stupid little thing.” I said ‘Grrrr’ a lot and probably some other words that cannot and should not be repeated here.
Finally, my grumpiness subsided and the mirror looks like a bandaged, mangled thing to remind me of my folly. But my foolishness is not just about the mirror that is askew. The worst bit of this ‘incident’ is the length of time I chose to hang onto my exasperation. I allowed this to bubble away inside me for several wasted hours. But that energy could have and should have been profitably diverted and used towards something far more profitable and fruitful. Now when I check out the dilapidated mirror I am reminded not just to reverse a little more carefully, but chiefly not to clasp onto things that I cannot change. To berate ourselves passionately and frequently is folly. Even more wasteful than the little dings that find us early in the morning in the garage.