As 2020 comes to a close it seems only fitting that I write something about the role of toilet paper(pun intended) in this very different year that we have had. In a masked and sometimes fearful world which we have found ourselves, it is beneficial to stop and look at the positives of this season in our lives.
When the pandemic hit for whatever reason fear drove people to the grocery store and toilet paper completely disappeared off the shelves! Why? Who knows? But it vanished all the same. Fortunately, my household had an abundance at that point as we shop at Costco and buy our beloved Charmin there. In fact since my parents were visiting right before our world was turned upside down I bought a package before we were too low thinking we might need it as we had two extra people in the house. As the year progressed toilet paper was much easier to find and things became a little more “normal”.
Recently, I walked into the bathroom and I came face to face with “it”…an almost empty roll of toilet paper just waiting for me to switch it out…again. My husband has this talent for leaving a tiny bit of toilet paper on the roll and starting a new roll. The kicker is he leaves that almost empty roll on the holder pretty much every time and the new roll sits waiting to be placed where it belongs.
As I began to change it for what seemed like the thousandth time I became a little bit irritated. It was in that moment that God revealed something to me…I still had my husband alive and well to perform these little “irritating” acts.
I then began to look back on this year and realized there were others not so fortunate. Many lost loved ones…either to Covid-19 or to other causes. My uncle lost his long time love, my precious Aunt Ruby, and I imagine he would love to change out the toilet paper roll for my aunt just to have her near.
My perspective changed and in that moment I was glad I was able to serve my husband in this small act. As I took off the old roll and put on the new one I also got rid of my negative outlook and adopted a new attitude of thankfulness that my husband is around to “annoy” me in such a way. One day I might walk into the bathroom to discover a full roll of toilet paper only to be wishing for a near empty roll.
So as this year comes to a close look around at all the blessings you have. Life is short and we must live it to the fullest as we enjoy the wonderful people that surround us. Love lavishly and forgive freely.
By the way, I’m finishing up a short trip to visit my parents. When I walked into the bathroom after arriving guess what I found…an empty roll of toilet paper. I just smiled.