My husband’s parents lost their home in the Sept. 11 flood that sent Split Rock Creek outside its banks, over roads and bridges and straight through their farmyard in northwestern Rock County.
My Sept. 19 column spoke of a DNR water rescue and told the story of generosity and gratitude in the face of tragedy.
Today there’s an update to the saga of the flood-displaced couple whose 65-year marriage is weathering yet another adventure.
Chapter 2 shares the not-surprising story that life goes on, home or no home, stuff or no stuff.
We’re in Week 6 with our temporary roommates who will move to an apartment at the end of the month, and it has produced plenty of column fodder, if nothing else.
But not in a way outside observers might think. (Many have asked in hushed tones, “How is it going with the in-laws?” as if it’s a punishment of sorts.)
Au contraire.
In fact, I’ll miss them when they go. For a number of reasons.
Chief among them are the advantages of having roommates who love us and want to “earn their keep” while they stay.
This has meant home-cooked meals bubbling in the crockpot or oven when we come home from work.
The root cellar jars we salvaged from the flooded farmhouse ended up at our place … which means I’ve eaten pickled beets to my heart’s content, along with bread-and-butter pickles, jelly preserves and more.
Similarly, we’ve enjoyed regular installments of freshly baked apple desserts (made mostly from our backyard tree), bran muffins, bread pudding and assorted cookies.
The high school senior has been treated to daily hard-boiled eggs and morning visits with the roommates. (Breakfast conversation is otherwise rare in the house of not-morning people.)
If homemade food weren’t enough to “earn their keep,” there’s also clean windows (I nearly walked through the patio glass), regularly vacuumed floors and line-dried laundry folded neatly in piles. (I’m pretty sure my sports bras have never before been folded.)
It’s fair to say we have gained more from the rooming arrangement than they have, but I hope they’ve benefited in more ways than simply having a roof over their heads.
If nothing else, there was exposure to new technology.
Wireless headphones, for example, enhance Saturday night polka TV and the evening news when background noise interferes.
And, ready access to online research comes in handy for leg cramp relief and recipe substitutions.
If it’s true what they say about storm clouds, it seems we’ve been living squarely in a silver lining since Sept. 11.
Under which other circumstances would we have had this much opportunity for face time with people so important in our lives?
Good luck with your new living arrangement, roomies, and thanks for more than “earning your keep.”
We know you’ll forever miss your little house on the farm, but we’re grateful for the unintended blessings that resulted from your loss.