The Period of Without

Our radiator was leaking. It’s only two-and-a-half years old. We phoned Julian the supplier, and Kevin the plumber who’d fitted it. Kevin came ten days ago.

‘Your radiator is leaking.’ Kevin said. ‘I know that,’ I said.

‘You need a new one’, Kevin said. ‘I’ll ring Julian. ‘He’ll order us a new one.’ ‘OK’, I said.

Kevin arrived with the new radiator yesterday morning. He removed the old one and unpacked the new one. It was damaged. ‘I can’t fit this,’ Kevin said. ‘I’ll get Julian to get you another new one.’

So now we’re in ‘the period of without’.

A few months ago I discovered a broken fence panel at the top of our garden. Winter wind and rain had damaged it. One night it fell apart. We went through a period of without. The fence panel was beyond repair. I bought a new one and fitted it. Our fence is now good.

The sequence goes something like this… good… damage… removal… period of without… repair or replacement… renewal.

I know marriages that have been through this process. It starts good but becomes damaged… There’s a removal, withdrawal, a period of without; both partners consider their options… Relationships are repaired or replaced; a ‘new normal’ is established.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the period of without.

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday. For many there’s carnival, Mardi Gras (fat Tuesday). It’s good; there’s parties and feasting… but there’s an acknowledgement of damage, that all isn’t as it should be.

We look forward to future holidays and celebrations at Easter; its eggs and Spring flowers, speak of new life and hope, of renewal and resolution, the protection of the fence panel, the warmth of the radiator. But now we’re in Lent, a time of reflection. Folks review the damage, consider their options; what needs to be removed, repaired or replaced. Good has been experienced in the past and is anticipated in the future, but for now we’re in that period of without.