Another house flooded. Another life upside down. Josephine's. She is in her late 70's...raised two kids...husband & son both dead...daughter walks with a limp-not sure why...several grand & great-grand kids. In August flood waters invaded her home. In January, she buried her granddaughter...shot...Josephine thinks by her X. For months contractors had advised her to get ride of her appliances, cupboards, doors, paneling, flooring etc. So she did. Slowly. Contractors and groups came & went always leaving before the project was done. Then she called AHV & we're committed to finishing what others started. A FEMA inspector came by while I was there. She shook her head & asked, "Why did you tear down so much??" When Josephine said that's what the contractors told her to do...the FEMA lady just shook her head and I could tell by her facial expression...it was bad advise. Later when the FEMA lady & I were visiting, I asked her if she'd seen cases where people got bad advice. She said without hesitation...Oh yes! About half the time!" I already felt bad for Josephine...but now even worse! In spite of it all, Josephine was delightful and during my lunch, I sat in the sun soaking up the heat and her stories. She said any day she could wake up to a bright sunny morning was a good day. She told me lots of men over the years have wanted to take her out for chicken dinner but she refused cause she knew next they'd want to move in & soon wanta know where her purse was. Josephine struggled with keeping her stuff she needed in her car & hated taking up space in her daughter's tiny apartment. She'd always had lots of room in her 3 bedroom house & she couldn't remember ever living there alone...usually even both couches were beds for someone...siblings, gkids, ggkids, nieces, nephews..whoever needed a bed. I think one of the things that bothered her most was...as she said, "Where they all be now? Got maybe one grandson & one ggrandson showing up once in a while to help." Then she just pursed her lips and said, "I ain't complaining...just a talking. Could be a whole lotta worse." And what do I have to complain about?? While working at her house, I was on my knees a lot scrapping up old flooring...and praying that Josephine's life would improve & she'd keep your wonderful attitude!
#16 $29,000 Savings
So what does AHV save a homeowner?? That figure for shelter-based construction was announced at our meeting tonight...$29,000!1! Now that makes me feel REAL good about being a small part of this big $$$saving project!!
#17. The Wait is Over
I got THE phone call that the wait to fly to China & pick up my niece, Chan's adopted son, Matthew is over! Next week--Valentine's Day--I fly to meet her in Dallas & then we're off to Beijing. She's been on pins & needles for months waiting...and since I'm her travel partner...I've been on hold. Now the flights are booked & her plans made. My plan to meet Slys in Puerto Vallarta isn't happening--though Rog will meet up with them. I'm scheduled to be back in USA early March so Rog & I'll meet up somewhere then...probably Costa Rica...but who knows.. plans change...especially ours as they are pretty open & flexible as a rule!
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