Friday, February 20, 2015

busted furnace and a birthday

Today, with the temperature at two degrees and a frost-bite advisory on the weather channel, the old furnace decided to leak water, ker-chunk ominously and create a theme for the day, which also happens to be my younger son's 21st birthday.

The former is to some extent my own damned fault for not being more attentive to the boiler's water supply/needs, but fault at the moment is not first on the agenda: Getting it fixed is. So there are a couple of calls out to plumbers whose answering machines are on the job at 6:30 in the morning. Hurry up and wait.

My son's birthday is somehow a marvel, which is another way of saying I am strangely or not so strangely inattentive. How did he get to be that old? What happened during all those years that preceded this birthday marker? What does he know that I don't ... and vice-versa? He is flesh of my flesh and somehow I am unable to get a handle on my flesh. Calling it a "blessing" or a "marvel" irritates me because it explains none of what I want -- foolishly or not -- explained. I would rather be confused than lied to and there is something confusing in the air.

5 comments:

  1. I think that it might be time to put out a public appeal for help in covering the cost of a new furnace. Genkaku, I have known you for a long, long time and have been very appreciative of the help you have provided over the years to address the wrongs committed by Eido Shimano. I am not a rich man by any means, I wish to do something to help alleviate some of the burden that this disaster has brought to your family. Toward that end I would like to offer the first $100 donation to the "Genkaku Furnace Fund". I wish you and your family much warmth.... your friendship has certainly provided me much warmth over time!

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  2. At least you've got that going for you that day, which is another year for your son that you get to witness. It's just too bad that you had to encounter a problem with your furnace. It's almost an insufferable surprise to be struck with your furnace acting up just as when you need it, so I really hope that it has already been dealt with completely at this point. Thanks for sharing that! All the best!

    Shelley Coday @ C & C Heating & Air Conditioning

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  3. Woah! That was frustrating! I can just imagine how hard it was to fight the February cold. I just hope that your furnace has already been fixed by now. Also, I'm hoping that you've already accepted the fact that your son is now an adult. Hahaha! Thanks for sharing that, Adam! All the best to you! :)

    Jodi Bennett @ Marsh Heating

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  4. I understand your frustration about how your child’s birthday marks how the time flies. But more than that, don’t you find it more irritating to have a broken furnace in the middle of a cold February? Haha! Well, I hope that it was repaired immediately and that’s the last time it got busted in the middle of a cold weather. Anyway, thanks for sharing, Adam. All the best!

    Lane Pemberton @ Metcalfe Heating & Air Conditioning

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  5. It is awful that your furnace broke on such a cold day. Sometimes all you can do is wait for help to come and deal with it in time. I hope your son'd birthday wasn't ruined but this series of unfortunate events. In times of trouble it is important to remember what is really important. I am sure you son was just happy to spend time with you.

    Rosa Nelson @ HVAC Services Philadelphia

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