Even after a devastating disaster, life goes on. While some things, like receiving mail or returning to a job or school, might be put ‘on hold,’ other things just keep accumulating. For instance, laundry.
Dave and I lost everything in the storm, and all we had was what we evacuated with. Good friends scrounged clothes and shoes for both of us, and I must admit, much of it was good stuff. I even joked that, wardrobe-wise, I had come out ahead.
An inevitable fact of life is that laundry must eventually be laundered. But what is one to do when their town is virtually destroyed?
Generous and well-meaning friends in nearby and not-so-nearby towns offered the use of their washer and dryer, and I did take advantage of that a couple of times. But then I began to feel like an imposition. Once I went to a laundromat in Gulfport, about 25 miles away, but it was so inundated with people in the same position as me that, what ordinarily would have been a 90-minute experience turned into a three-hour ordeal.
I finally succumbed to what most people in Bay St. Louis and Waveland did: doing our laundry in a bucket, using a plunger as an agitator and hanging it out to dry. While I had done this in a previous life (when we lived on a sailboat) but nowadays our clothes are SO much dirtier (read “Endless Muck”) and washing them in a bucket just didn’t cut it. I wondered if scrubbing boards were even made anymore.
The saying “a friend in need is a friend indeed” is so true. Our friend, John (who had arranged for us to camp at the Dodge dealership for a few weeks) is the service manager at Champion Dodge in Gulfport and as such, meets many, many people. One of his customers performs the noble service of fixing broken washing machines and then gives them away. That’s how John and Sharon got theirs, and that’s how we got ours.
I had no idea that this wonderful scheme was being concocted behind my back. So when John and Sharon announced that they had a surprise for me, I was completely baffled. They led me to their truck, and there in the bed was a General Electric Heavy Duty washing machine. The day happened to be Dave’s and my 27th wedding anniversary, but I felt like a bride!
Having the only washing machine in the neighborhood has made us popular. Our neighbors know that it is there for their use, and only those in our predicament can truly appreciate how one rather common appliance can make all the difference in the world. The little things in life have never meant so much.
Mississippi muck
EMAIL THIS
TRACKBACKS
Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do no appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451b0aa69e200d8349e3abd69e2
advertisement
Of all the stories I've read and heard. This is the one that brings tears to my eyes. The basic kindness of friends and strangers is wonderful.
Greg Oldham, Belfair WA (Sent Nov 9, 2005 2:53:24 PM)
I moved to a smaller house and can't use my new washer and dryer if you want them and can get them they are yours.My heart goes out to all of you.
S.L.McNicol, Frankfort, Kentucky (Sent Nov 10, 2005 10:02:27 AM)
McNicol - you great!
I know exactly what you mean. One of the happiest days after the storm was when I installed my new washer and dryer into my flood damaged home (but I could wash). I wash and wash and wash now a days - more than ever.
To all the people that send supplies cloths detergent woudl be a help too. For same strange reason that seems to be forgotton. BUT TO ALL so VERY greatful to all the supplies everyone has provided us with.
Elizabeth, Waveland (Sent Nov 10, 2005 12:58:26 PM)
Don't miss one of the most important parts to this story....'our neighbors know it's there for their use...' That, my friend, sums up the Bay I grew up in..........
Suzi (Sent Nov 12, 2005 7:14:38 PM)
SEND A COMMENT
PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.