Yes, our finished basement was flooded and it still has water in it. A bummer I know but I was listening to something the other day that said even in times of trouble we can find things to be grateful for. So here are my lessons from the flood.
- Life is unpredictable to be sure and we absolutely have no control. It's good to be reminded of this every once in a while so you don't take yourself or your tasks too seriously. Enjoy the moment like the sunshine warming your back as you load up another trailer with construction debris.
- I am grateful only our basement was destroyed and not our whole house - like some people.
- We had to move our keyboard upstairs due to the water and this has certain benefits. The boys practice more and with all the chaos now upstairs - my piano teacher suggested that my concentration will improve.
- We have gotten rid of a lot of stuff and that is a great thing.
- Though my brain cells don't always fire like they used to - I can follow complicated instructions like starting a gasoline powered pump. Instructions include turning it on, adjusting the choke, and priming the pump.
- The boys made $8.75 in about 30 minutes sitting down at the corner with our junk. After that they put up the free sign and all but a table went. Turns out Doug needs this table after all.
- The Xmas decorations won't smell moldy this year as they are upstairs in my closet now.
- We got six years out of our finished basement. When Doug called a friend to borrow his trailer he said, "I am unfinishing the basement."
- I got rid of a lot of stuff (this is the biggest benefit!) and this has me very intent on some decorating/making the house look nice. I have already rearranged the boys' rooms and want to re-do all the rooms with the help of a friend who has a very good eye and nice style.
- Matthew did his laundry because his clean clothes weren't coming fast enough as we were pre-occupied with the flood.
- We have been talking/commiserating with the neighbors. Misery loves company and I believe this flood has brought us closer together.
- In fact, it probably has brought the family closer together because we only have one primary room to congregate in.
- The boys are all helping Dad with the work in the basement and seem relatively cheerful about it.
- This flood has been something to open up a myriad of conversations with people. The only thing is when people say their basement was O.K., you want to secretly ring their neck.
- Doug now knows what it's like to get up in the middle of the night and pump:)
