Thankfully, our family with both feet in Northern Michigan have been pulling through in our absence. Connor’s folks did the lion’s share of chipping, patching, priming, caulking, and painting in our absence. His father, much closer to the schoolhouse geographically, but himself tied to an office most days, was back and forth enough to suggest that he perhaps actually enjoyed the work of painting when the weather was right. Or maybe he just loves his children dearly. Either way, he’s probably on to something.
It also bears mentioning that none of this work would have been possible were it not for the scaffolding lent to us by Connor’s childhood soccer coach. He also happens to be one of the best builders in the area, and whether lending equipment or renovation wisdom, he has been both generous and indispensable from the outset. We’re lucky to have him and the other best builder in the area, my brother Kevin, on our crew.
It may not have been a community barn-raising exactly, but in a time of unprecedented isolation, the outpouring of support we received was heartening.
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