Once you've hit an all-time low, you can only go up from there.
11:05 a.m., it is time to leave school and drive twenty-four minutes to work, but first a quick dress change from school clothes to scrubs. 3:32 p.m., it is time to leave work and drive thirty-seven minutes to the recreational complex for soccer practice, but first a quick dress change from scrubs to an old t-shirt and running shorts.
Urgency is key, a captain cannot be late to practice. But wait, what is that smell? A bubbling, brown, bad substance comes exploding from the sewage drain in the public restroom and a tear streams down the captain's cheek reacting to the unforgiving smell.
Up from the drain the sewage roars, attacking everything in its track, including the soccer captain's brand new shoes. Leftover food, human feces, and only God knows what else lather each crack of the tile. Fast the captain must escape from the restroom of terror, scurrying past every obstacle. The car door slams, the captain zooms to practice, holding her breath the whole way. "What's wrong, Cap?" asks Coach. "It was the chicken in the drain," replies the Captain, completely overwhelmed with PTSD from the horrific occurrence.
"The chicken in the drain" expression signals the absolute worst case scenario. Yes, life isn't always peachy, but nothing can be as bad as the old, nasty, sewage chicken that I witnessed first hand explode from the drain in the public bathroom.
Every time I think back to "the chicken in the drain," my whole body freezes in disgust. I now have a fear of public gas station restrooms where chicken is so conveniently sold. However, every person who did not witness this malodorous event falls to their knees with laughter when I share my story.
When someone is having a bad day, they do not have to worry because it is just "the chicken in the drain" of days. This phrase can be used to describe a no good, terrible, awful experience, or perhaps can be used as a light-hearted way to suggest that everything is not as bad as it seems.
While at the moment bad situations seem to be overwhelming, in all reality the "chicken in the drain" only lasts a few moments until escaping and moving onto the next task of the day. This "chicken in the drain" never meant to upset me, and this occurrence happened only by chance. How lucky am I to have experienced something so unique that allows me to reflect about life and its unforeseen circumstances?
In years to come, I hope this story brings many laughs and more "glass half-full" perspectives to multiple individuals. My teacher once told me, "Life is not about the hand you are dealt, but rather how you choose to play your cards." On the day of "the chicken in the drain," I was dealt some smelly, obnoxious cards, however, I know I can now use it to fill others with joy and a carefree attitude.
