It has been a long, slow death.

A little over a year ago, in a freak-of-nature moment, lightning struck my TV. Well, it struck the electrical box outside my apartment. All the apartments on my side of the building suffered a strange, supernatural increase in one electrical source and the rest were completely non-functioning. My super-bright light was in my closet. It could not be turned off and no other source of electricity worked. It was a nuts.

In the end I lost my fan, microwave, heated blanket, and several other minor things. (I did gain a greater appreciation for surge protectors). But the biggest loss was my TV. Over time it improved a little. The static lines that made it impossible to see the picture began to decrease but the awful buzzing sound never went away.

This isn't just any TV. It was a gift to me from my best friend. She spent sacrificially to give it to me just before I went to college. I couldn't throw it away. I think of her every time I watch it.

But tonight the end has come. During another sleepless night, the TV suddenly went black. The static lines may be gone, but so is the picture. I can still hear it. And the obnoxious buzz.

I'm secretly wishing for a new TV for Christmas.