Work, Worry, and Gratitude
Today was one of those long, honest days that start quietly and end with tired bones but a settled mind. I spent almost the entire day in the garden, moving from one task to another, trying to put things back in order the best way I could. It wasn’t planned to be so demanding, but once I started, I knew there was no turning back.
The first thing that needed attention was the rabbit house. Looking at the rabbits in the morning reminded me that I had delayed this work for too long. The house had been giving me problems, especially the roof. The last time it was fixed, the work was not properly done. The roofing sheet used then was weak. In less than two years, it started leaking badly. Whenever the rain became serious, I had to use an old banner to cover the top, just to protect the rabbits from the cold and water. It was never a permanent solution, just a way of managing a problem I knew would return.
Because it is the Christmas period, getting a carpenter was almost impossible. The one who did it before was not an option again. I didn’t want to repeat the same mistake. So today, I decided to do something different. I took my time, removed the bad sheets, adjusted the wood where necessary, and fixed stronger roofing sheets. It took many hours under the sun, bending, lifting, adjusting, and checking again. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Sometimes, you just have to do things yourself to be sure it is done with care.
In between the repairs, I also did cleaning, one task after the other. I cleaned the cages, cl surrounding area, and made sure the place looked better than how I met it in the morning. By the time I was done, my body felt the weight of the work, but my heart felt light. There is a special kind of satisfaction that comes from seeing order where there was disorder.
Earlier in the morning, a neighbour called me with disturbing news. He said some people tried to steal chickens in their area around 2 am to 3 am. It was the noise from the chickens that alerted them. He warned me to be careful and to secure my chicken cage properly. I understood his concern. This period, many people are desperate. Christmas is around the corner, and some people think stealing is an easy solution.
I honestly don’t understand it. Whether they want to eat the chicken or sell it, stealing can never make sense. Hunger or celebration is not an excuse to take what does not belong to you. It only spreads fear and pain.
As the day ended, I sat for a while, looking at the repaired rabbit house and the clean garden. It was a stressful day, yes, but it was also a meaningful one. Some days don’t give you rest, they give you lessons. And today reminded me that responsibility doesn’t take holidays, not even during Christmas.
