A Big Pile of Crap

We recently had a project done at the house where we had to have the original cast iron pipes replaced underneath the house. I believe this house was built in 1959. My parents have lived in this house this whole time and we all grew up in this house. Thankfully, they have never had to do any major repairs to it over the years so this was the first real major project it’s ever faced. My dad has always handled any minor maintenance issues and painting that needed to be done to the house, but over the last few years, he’s physically been unable to keep up with those things. The health issues of both of both of them took priority. Over the last year of being here, I’ve taken on the responsibility of helping take care of them along with handling any issues with the house.

The plumbing issues that have been around for a few years had just progressively gotten worse to where we were faced with the need to replace the old pipes. The main and most challenging part of this whole process was explaining to mom and dad the who, why, what, where, and how. This was a conversation that not only took place multiple times before the project even started but multiple times during the project up until the very end. This was a very stressful and anxious time for them because it was a project that they had never had to face before. It required a lot of patience to explain the process to them the best way I knew how and to take any questions or concerns to the contractor and his team. It was a continuous conversation that often involved talking them off the ledge and assuring them everything was going to be fine. I was also telling myself this so I could remain strong and in control for their benefit. Luckily, we were able to stay in the house for the beginning of them digging the hole in the backyard and making a tunnel underneath the house where the pipes were. For the part where they were going to be removing and replacing the pipes, we obviously couldn’t be in the house. We were originally told it was going to take a full day to have this done. One of my brother’s came to the rescue and took them to stay with him for a couple of days. This was a much needed mini vacation for them both. Luckily, it only took a few hours and the project was a success. I needed that mini vacation to take a moment to breathe and reflect on what just happened.

It reminded me of how our lives can be turned upside down in an instant. Life can feel like someone dug a hole inside of us and turned our insides out and there is just a pile of crap left. It looks huge and intimidating and you wonder, where did all this crap come from? What am I supposed to do with it? Where am I gonna put it?

Then suddenly you receive a helping hand, guidance, wisdom, and answered prayer and things start coming together. The next thing you know that pile of crap suddenly no longer looks as big as it once did or it’s gone completely as if it was never there to begin with. I took photos of the progression of this project and that’s what came to my mind after seeing the photo taken at the end. It looks like nothing ever happened.