I was driving downtown, minding my own business, staying in my lane, and not speeding, when all of a sudden a cab driver swung his door open and whack. Off went my passenger side mirror. I received an estimate for $300. Only problem is that we have a $500 deductible so I have to pay it up front. The cab company’s insurance may cover it, so long as the driver doesn’t contest my story. Great.

$300 out the door. Literally.

Another day, same shit. I was standing in the bathroom, getting ready to shower. I followed my usual routine. I placed my phone on the counter top, took the elastic out of my hair and placed it on top of my phone. Then I took of my necklace and laid it inside of my elastic. Next come the earrings. Only problem is that as I took off one earring, it slipped through my fingers and went plop. Right down the drain. I don’t own very many expensive earrings. I have a couple of fancy rings, a handful of expensive necklaces. I own dozens, and dozens of cheap, cheap earrings. Only one pair of real pearl earrings and one pair of diamond earrings. Of course I was wearing my diamonds. Down it went.

$300 right down the drain. Literally.

It was not a good weekend. It was an even worse Monday. I spent countless phone calls talking to insurance people, my insurance people, his insurance people, his cab company, his boss. Then came the calls with my dad. Calls about the accident, calls about repair costs, calls about autobody shops, calls about insurance policies. Calls about pipes, calls about tools, calls about why I decided to take off my earrings standing over the sink.

I spent a considerable amount of time crying on Monday night. Angry at myself. Annoyed by my mistakes. Exhausted from trying to fix things. Sad because I was disappointing my dad. Not once, not twice, heck I can’t even count the number of times this weekend. For getting in an accident. For not getting the right information from the cab driver at the time of the accident. For not filing a police report. For doing something as stupid as taking off my most expensive pair of earrings while standing over the sink. For using pliers, and not a pipe wrench to try and remove the plug.

But the thing about my dad is… Growing up I always expected him to get mad, angry, to yell. He had a temper, he’s stubborn, and he was endlessly frustrated by my sister’s and my mistakes.

Well my dad often surprises me. He’s calm when I expect him to be mad, sensitive when I expect anger. And most importantly during a weekend like this, he’s understanding when I expect him to be frustrated.

I have the best father ever. I’m pretty sure I’d still be in bed crying over spilled milk if it weren’t for him and his willingness to help me resolve this weekend’s mishaps. So cheers to a better day tomorrow, and to finding a new about-to-get-in-the-shower routine. One that doesn’t involve taking off my jewelry while standing over the sink.