I’ve got a growing list of things that have been in death throes for a long time- months to even years. Most have buttons or switches- espresso machine, dehumidifier, sonic toothbrush, German road car, laptop, wine refrigerator… a lamentable list- not exhaustive but exhausting.
When the things with buttons and switches misbehaved, I unplugged, rebooted, consulted owner’s manuals and Googled. I feel like I’ve been running a rehab facility or an ICU. There’ve been a few saves- honestly the espresso maker, which is still in service, has been resuscitated more times than I can count. Some of the things died and were buried. And some things I just got sick of dealing with and euthanized. I let the car become someone else’s problem.
Holding on to things that are wont to die seems my specialty, but I’m mending my ways. Fixing tired things is tiring and at some point, a waste of time. Closing the “fix it shop” is not a sign of weakness or failure. The death throes will out. When it’s time, let them win. And be careful about replacing things lest you find yourself back in the fix-it shop business. I’m giving the old-fashioned, manual toothbrush a call-back.
You might be surprised that bitter doesn’t have to describe the end. R.I.P. (The things and their former owner.)