Wawa is “Closed for Renovation” – Working Through the 7 Stages of Grief

Posted on by rachelewagner1

Last Sunday I was about to pull into my favorite Wawa to get my morning coffee and blueberry muffin when I saw the most hideous sign… “Closed for Renovation”.  WHAT!!!!  I immediately started going through the 7 stages of grief…

  1. SHOCK & DENIAL
    This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening.  I’m dreaming.  Wake up! Wake up! (As I slap my face).  Wait, why did I just slap my face?  That hurt.  Where am I going to get my morning coffee and muffin?  Panic is setting in.  I know Richard Simmons said to lay off the carbs but certainly he didn’t mean Wawa muffins.  What am I supposed to do now?  Make my own coffee?  Like some kind of peasant?  I couldn’t possibly operate my own Keurig.  I have to turn it on and wait for it to warm up.  Annoying!  Wawa provides me with already warm coffee as soon as I enter the building as well as so many wonderful creamer options.
  1. PAIN & GUILT
    I’m numb. Was this my fault? Is it something I said?  When I mentioned to the cashier that the bathroom was out of toilet paper did it set this awful plan into motion?  Was she so mad that she closed the whole store for renovation?  Oh crap!  If anyone finds out I’ll be lynched.
  2. ANGER & BARGAINING
    Wait a minute… I will NOT take the blame for this. It’s those pesky people in corporate that felt we needed stone columns by the gas pumps and made-to-order Frappuccino’s.  How dare they!  We were fine with ugly gas pumps and coffee from a machine.  You’re just horrible…horrible I say!  Okay, did I say “horrible”?  Silly me.  What I meant was I’ll give you my first born (okay I’ll throw in the 2nd too), all of my possessions AND my coveted Billy Joel tickets if you’ll open this store up immediately.  Pretty please?
  1. “DEPRESSION”, REFLECTION, LONELINESS-
    It’s been 3 days and I’m still in the parking lot quietly singing “I Will Remember You” and hoping that the doors open soon. Who cares about relationships and personal hygiene when my life is basically over?  Come back to me Wawa… come back.
  1. THE UPWARD TURN
    Out of the corner of my eye I spot a Dunkin Donuts. Hmm… has that always been there?  Ooo…they have a drive thru.  This could possibly work in the interim.  And I’m sure that my family would like me back.  And my car smells weird.
  1. RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH
    Today’s a brighter day. I got my Dunkin Donuts coffee and okay-ish muffin… showered… and went back to work.  I’m starting to put the pieces of my life back together.
  1. ACCEPTANCE & HOPE
    I called Wawa headquarters (for the 57th time) and finally found out that my Wawa will open back up in 3 weeks. They also suggested that I check out the 3 other Wawa’s within 1 mile of my home.  Who’s driving a mile for coffee?    Suckers!  Tomorrow is a brighter day.  I can do this.

 

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