Pipes

I've learned that when a water pipe breaks in the vacant apartment above while one is on vacation, it does bad things to the carpet. A big reason to have a clean house-which I didn't. Another thing one may want to have is a plastic tablecloth on the dining room table at all times (This saved my table from being destroyed). I have also learned that I was wise to hate cardboard boxes and store most of my things in plastic, covered tubs. I should have the extra bedroom clean next time though. The carpet guy didn't check the room--only the dining room where the water poured down the walls.

Point of interest-carpet that gets wet and is unknown to the carpet guy thus staying wet for at least three days before the renter returns from vacation stinks. Then, when the manager of the renter's apartment does nothing about it for two days after renter asks what happened the smell gets worse. (Think of a dead animal in the house for two weeks). It is hard to get rid of that smell. In fact, deoderizer and heavy duty fans help the stink go away unless you sit on the said, previously wet, now dry carpet.

So-points learned: 1. Renter's insurance 2. Vinyl tablecloths 3. Plastic tubs with lids 4. Clean house 5. Fans 6. Dejunk 7. Sit on furniture

My Younger Brother

My sister inspired me to dedicate a blog post to my younger brother (her older brother). She wrote about her big bro helping her across the highway and saving her. I remember something else. We had a large buggy--perhaps you remember them-huge wheels and a place to lay the baby down. In England they are called pram's or something like that. Anyway-when Bro was two years old he was in the baby buggy. I thought it would be fun to give him a push. So-I pushed the buggy down the driveway. Safety wasn't my main concern at seven or eight or nine-however old I was so I stayed put and watched him coast down the driveway. I knew he would be laughing because don't we all like to be pushed down a driveway in a buggy with no driver near the handle?

There was only one thing I neglected to think about. Cracks. The buggy hit a crack and tipped over back to front and my little bro was on the ground crying. Of course I ran to get him and then had to confess to mom about what I had done--er I assume I confessed. If I didn't then, Mom-I'm sorry for doing that. I won't do it again I promise.

Now you are probably expecting some great lesson from this story. OK. Life is full of those cracks. It may be a lost baseball game or a pet that died. In the case of my little bro the most recent crack is one many of us never want to have-the loss of a loved one. The cracks are there to help us grow.

I admire my brother for his strength, grace, and courage. He proves to me that a crack may make us stumble-maybe even for a long time, but picking oneself up and plodding along after that crack strengthens and hones us so we can be with our loved ones again. I know he has private moments of pain which I cannot imagine, but he is strong and has faith. He will make it past the crack I know it. I love you Bro.