Today I need to buy a new water heater. My life is so sexy.

It’s not that my current water heater has failed, but it is clear from the looks of it that it is on its way out. When I purchased my home in West Fargo almost four years ago the home inspector told me that the water heater would probably need to be replaced in the next year. Well, it is still plugging away providing a household of three longer than average shower takers with adequate hot water.

Alas, the poor old appliance is leaking and looking a bit corroded and dilapidated and it is clear that it is time to retire it before it unceremoniously dies. I am thankful for my water heater’s service. By my estimation it is twelve years old, has been with the house through three owners and has given hot water day-in and day-out without fail. I think that needs to be noted and appreciated out loud. It may not be the newest or shiniest, but it did the job reliably for years without a hiccup.

Sure, I know what you are thinking, “What is up with her and her abnormal attachment to an old appliance?” Well, it’s like this – I see a pattern in the way we value things in society – things that are older and proven reliable are often tossed aside for newer and shinier things. And not only things, sometimes the same is true for people. I don’t think I like that, especially since I am no longer new or shiny.

These days, I find myself caring less and less about being up on the latest and greatest and more and more about valuing the steady, reliable and dependable – particularly as it applies to people. Perhaps this is a tenet of aging – recognition that there is value in durability and endurance even if it comes in a package that is neither new, nor shiny.

I am like my old water heater I think. I am no longer new or shiny (although I won’t go so far as to say I am leaking as that is just disturbing). I am not the latest model; but, I have kept plugging along all these years predictably…reliably. That should be worth something right? I think so.

So today I will buy a new water heater, but with the recognition that the old water heater has contributed much and has earned the rest; because, I realize that in life there is value in dependability, commitment, and endurance.  This life has so much more to offer than just the new and shiny – appreciate the value in all things and all people. 

And let me reiterate – I don’t leak…yet.

Day one hundred and seventy-seven of the new forty – obla di obla da

CC