It’s winter!
While many people are excited about the snow, cozy nights, and holiday cheer, let me just say it plainly:
I am NOT.
My winter drama started last night when my daughter had the heat cranked up to "hell," and I told her to turn it down to 65.
Before you side-eye me and say, “65? But it’s freezing!”—hear me out. My family uses heat to knock the chill off, not to roast us alive.
We like to sleep cool and bundle up. It works for us... or so I thought.
Fast forward to this morning. I woke up early, ready to offer Tahajjud, a prayer I make before Fajr. It’s a peaceful, reflective time I cherish.
But peace quickly turned to panic when I realized... I had no water. None. Zero. Nada.
My heart sank. My stomach twisted. I thought, “Oh no, did I forget to pay the water bill?”
I dashed to the shower. Nothing.
I ran to the kitchen sink. Still nothing. My brain was in overdrive, calculating how much this disaster was going to cost me.
And then it hit me: the freaking 65 degrees. Dammit.
To make matters worse, as I was panicking, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself.
Why? Because I told myself last year that it would be my last winter here on the East Coast. I’m over the cold. Done with it.
Yet here I am. I planned to escape, and God said, “Girl, bye.”
Lesson learned: God’s plans will always humble yours. LOL.
Enter: The Frozen Pipe Saga
At 5 a.m., with no water and no one else awake, the only person I could call was my son.
Thank God for his calm, rational brain. He told me, “Mom, the pipes are probably frozen. Turn up the heat and let a faucet drip.”
Frozen pipes?! I had never experienced this in my life.
I was spiraling—thinking about how I couldn’t pray, shower, or even brush my teeth. I was this close to booking a hotel room!
But I followed his instructions, turned up the heat, and let the faucet drip. Sure enough, water began to leak… and then it stopped.
What the fudge.
As I stood there, still frazzled because it wasn’t flowing, I thought about my favorite quote:
“Planning and Preparation Produces Positive Outcomes.” It’s my mantra, the one I live by—and yet here I was, learning this lesson all over again.
If I had just turned the heat up slightly or let the faucet drip last night, I could have avoided this mini-meltdown.
Bigger Lessons Than Frozen Pipes
But this isn’t just about winter and frozen pipes, is it?
It’s about how quickly life can throw an unplanned event our way—something that humbles us and reminds us to focus on prevention.
How often do we spiral into panic when a little preparation could have saved the day?
Whether it’s our work, our relationships, or even our health, planning ahead and being proactive can save us from so much unnecessary stress.
The Blow Dryer Chronicles
After hours of trying everything, Google suggested (yes, even pointing a blow dryer under my bathroom sink, not even knowing what I was aiming at), I finally gave up and went to my mom’s house.
Thank goodness for mothers. If you have yours, appreciate her every day. She let me shower, dress, and get back on track.
Hours later than I planned, but I still made it to the office.
Because here’s the thing: I couldn’t control when the pipes would thaw, but I could control how I responded and how much I let it affect my day.
Another lesson learned for the books.
Closing Thoughts
Winter might not be my favorite, but these icy moments always remind me that planning and preparation aren’t just tools—they’re life savers.
Whether it’s turning up the heat, letting faucets drip, or simply choosing to laugh through the chaos, we always have the power to respond with grace.
What’s your favorite winter lesson? Share it below—I’d love to hear how you’ve turned chaos into calm.
Stay warm, boo! 💕
Comments