Wakame 3

This is my fourth summer of ASP & this is by far my favorite family. My previous homeowners were all very nice, but I never seemed to make that connection that I heard others talk about in relating family stories.  Our family this year is very unique. The parents Rich & Reesa have adopted 11 children. The range in age from 11 to young adult. Many have some special needs. Three of the sons, who are older teenagers, have been helping our crew this week. Riku, Isaac & Eli expressed to us that if people like us can volunteer & give their time to help their family, they couldn't just sit by and watch us work without also pitching in. So the three of them, plus two of their younger sisters Alex & Emma, became part of our crew with Chris A., Taylor G., Mike P., Tim G., & Emily B.

Last year they moved into the house we are repairing. It is a 3 story house that was previously an apartment building. Other crews were working on siding & finishing a newly constructed room in the lower level. Our job was to address the runoff problem that caused serious erosion that threatened their foundation & also was allowing water to enter their home.  We are finishing a multi-tier retaining wall that feeds into the drainage ditch we dug on Monday. Since it rained hard last night, Rich was able to tell us that the work we already did, helped & only a small amount of water entered their home.

The work we are doing isn't the most glamorous work or even requires much skill or fancy tools to accomplish. It entails digging dirt & breaking up rocks. We moved large amounts of stones. We worked in muddy conditions that caked our boots with muck.  When we were tired, you would see Riku or Isaac or Eli jump up & grab a shovel or a pile of lumber & you knew you could keep going. You wanted to make it right for their family!

Reesa told us a story about the many different rocks that were piled up around her house. She said when her kids were little, they would give her a rock & put it in her hand and she would keep them because to her they weren't rocks, but each rock represented a prayer. Reesa has had a tough life and willingly and lovingly accepted much more than any person should have to in a life. It is a pleasure and a privilege to get to know her & her family this week.  They will remain a part of me long after we leave.

Melissa Bellamy

Wakame 3