Today we lost a very near and dear friend. Our nearly one year old Oster 2-Slice Toaster complete with:

• Extra-wide slots and 7 adjustable toast shade settings
• Combined multiple functions in 1 handy appliance
• A baking pan and broiling tray
• Did I mention made of stainless steel?

As sad as this is for us to let go I have decided to share the basic steps for moving past our loss and begining the recovery process.

Step 1. Denial - You may think to yourself, “I went out and bought you off that cold shelf, made sure to keep your stainless steel body shiny and crumb free and you do this to me?” “What the hell am I going to do with a toaster that won’t give up the toast let alone stop toasting it?!”

Step 2. Codependence - Trying to make things work will only make the problem worse. Trying to “Get by” on what your appliance has to offer will only end up in pain and quite possibly death.

Step 3. God Complex - Shaking, blowing hardly into vents or openings, unplugging and replugging, cursing at, evening throwing an appliance is not going to make suddenly realize the error of its ways and begin to work as it did before. Again this is a dangerous idea.

Step 4. Anger - It’s normal to have this emotion. You have spent time with you appliance. It has been there when you needed it and now it’s gone. You may feel cheated and abandoned, perhaps even ripped off. This is all very normal.

Step 5. Grieving - You miss your daily routine together you feel lost and confused on what to do next. You may even spend time looking at your appliance while it remains in it’s place in your house.

Step 6. Acceptance - You start to move on. Finding a final resting place for your appliance, cleaning its old place and begining thoughts of what might come. A brighter, newer, faster, cleaner, appliance that won’t let you down.

Still feeling uneasy?

Say this outloud a few times and with slow breaths between…

“Lord grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.”