| View Blog
|
|
|
We have had negative temperatures all week. My neighbor’s water is frozen again. It’s his first winter here, it’s been hard on him. He doesn’t make eye contact with me any more. I let him borrow my ladder for one of his odd jobs. I let him climb on my shed to trim my other neighbor’s tree for money. His kid sister scratched my car. I caught her. He knows she did it. They have had a multitude of problems out of her. He feels guilty I am sure.
Part of me wants to go over and lend him a hand. I know how to thaw a pipe. I’ve been here 11 years. I know how to survive these winters. My first couple of years here were very hard. When our ultra cold spells would come my water would freeze too. I hadn’t done the things necessary in order to insure that didn’t happen. I became rather good at thawing frozen pipes before they burst I came to understand what precautions to take to decrease the possibility that would happen. But I don’t offer to help, not that I hold a grudge toward him, but because I don’t think he wants my help.
I look out my kitchen window and the neighbors across the alley have an furniture rental van in front of their place. They are either renting new furniture or having theirs taken away. Every weekend that van comes to a different house in my neighborhood. My neighbors live from paycheck to paycheck. Hand to mouth.
I remember the years I spent living that way. I remember how very hard life was for me. I remember crawling under my little house in the freezing cold putting insulation on water pipes. I remember not having enough money for food. I remember what it was like to struggle.
I have been so blessed. Sometimes I get caught up in life and my job. I get caught up in trying so hard to get ahead that I fail to stop and look back at where I have come from. I still struggle- I still fight the good fight- but for a different reason now. It isn’t to survive. It’s to do better. The hope the ever illusive dream of someday shaking the dust of this little town off of my feet and walking out of this place. Out of this neighborhood- on to something better.
Joey called me last night. They have upped our overtime. I will be able to squeeze out another 100 bucks a week…toward the goal…the dream. God help me I am so close now I can almost imagine it. Joey drove me by that house again yesterday. We were working in the neighborhood & he drove me by the house. Great yard. Amazing neighborhood. We were both very quiet. He allowed me to plot and scheme in silence. I’m nearly half way there. If that house is still on the market the end of February, I hope to put an offer in on it. I am terrified to dream. Part of me afraid that house will be snatched out from under me- part of me afraid that it wont. |
|
Posted by SimpleSugar on 2008-01-26 14:32:57 | Rating: | Views: 47
|
| |
|
|
| Blog Comments
|
|
|
|
we are in the Siberian Express weather area..so I am very familar with frozen pipes,etc. And we also live paycheck to paycheck...even w/my husband making $30per hr. He has to commute to the Twin Cities for work..and gas is so high. Sounds like you have a plan or goal and keep working towards a better ,brighter,future good for you!!
I try to remain positive,but sometimes it is hard to keep struggling ...in time life should be more even
good luck to you
|
|
Posted by freewhitedove
on 2008-01-26 14:40:12
|
|
|
|
|
|
