The House on Spain Street

Well we're done. Done that is with the Spain Street house. We've done all we can do at Al and Bernice's home. The plumbers, electricians, and heating & cooling guys will come soon then more volunteers will come and finish the job.
We've torn the house done to the studs and covered the front of the house with sheathing over the past four days. We've sustained injuries but have also gained a lot.
Throughout these past days at the Spain Street house we have bonded- however cliche that may sound. We have gained muscle and learned lots about construction. We have gained perspective. Throughout the week Al and Bernice have pushed us- Al continually told us that we couldn't give up no matter how discouraged we may be. Bernice made that wonderful ice tea and prayed for us.
Throughout this week we have pulled nails out of the floors, ceilings & walls, we have pulled pink shingles off the exterior of the house, we have pulled up floor boards using two by four boards & crowbars, we have smashed up drywall, and lastly we have put up sheathing on the exterior.
We have sat on nails, fallen gracefully down stairs, screamed at the sight of cockroaches, backed into fans, fallen through floors, and sustained much more.
Over the course of four days we have experienced so much in the house on Spain Street. Now it is over and we will go back to our normal lives but the house on Spain Street will forever be with us. Al and Bernice will eventually live in the house that they lived in before the storm but until then they will live in that small FEMA trailer inspiring us through their endless optimism.

Emily