Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Gratitude over the move

I know I told you guys we were moving from the outskirts in to the center... and that our new landlord changed our move-in date causing some chaos and frustration... and a situation where I didn't have any people to help out.

Well, I hope you will all understand what a truly awesome group of friends Coral has. And appreciate the efforts our new landlord went through to make things right.

Our new flat is on the 2nd floor - no lift - if you're in the US that's the 3rd floor, no elevator. We packed all our suitcases - about 8 and then filled 6 large boxes, 6 medium boxes, and bags and bags with soft smooshy stuff - clothes, blankets, etc.

Coral told me she had a few friends coming over after church - around 2:30 or so. Our landlord said he'd come by at 10:30 and take a load over as he had to meet the short-term tenants and clean. He showed up in his station-wagon and we jammed it full of the suitcases and a few other things. Then he went on his merry way.

We continued to pack and clean, pack and clean. And about 2:30 the phone rang, the kids were going to be late. So around 3 Coral escorted them from the metro to the bus, navigated our neighborhood, and in our front door. I went to greet them and was met with a clamoring, "What can we clean? What do you need us to do? How can we help?" There were 4 new teenagers eager to assist.

They jumped in and washed all the windows (if you remember - there were walls and walls of floor to ceiling windows). Then they helped finish the packing and the sweeping. The landlord showed up again so the kids hauled everything down the hall and filled the elevator - quite a few times - 3 of those times the elevator, which was prone to temperamental fits, broke. The loaded his car up again - and we were faced with at least one more car load, possibly two more trips still in the house.

That is when the Pierce family arrived - the whole family. In a big van. Four more youthful bodies, two more adults and an empty van - we filled it in record time then caravaned - with all the kids finding a spot to sit - over to the new flat. It took each person no more than 2 trips up stairs, some only went up and down once, and everything was unloaded. Everything.

Fifteen minutes later everyone was gone. It was a total whirlwind.

And that's when I took in that our landlord had carried 4 giant suitcases, fully loaded, and boxes and bags up and down the stairs, all morning, all by himself. Not an easy feat.

Those kids are awesome. And I incredibly, incredibly grateful. Coral really has some wonderful friends.

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