Yesterday was one of those days when I had a plan, but I still had some concern about how it was all going to work.
We needed to move two sheds for Mom. Both were eight by twelve feet, and one was taller than the other. The heavier one was newer and stronger, but neither was something we could simply pick up and move. There were things to figure out, equipment to gather, and a full day of work ahead of us.
Tom generously let me borrow his truck. We had a trailer and a winch, and friends and family came together to help. I had thought through how we could do it, but everyone brought something to the effort.
Wayne helped us strap the sheds differently than I had originally planned. Between us, we had straps long enough to go over the top and secure them. The winch made a tremendous difference, too. Without it, the work would have taken much longer.
Little by little, we worked through the details.
Laura told me afterward that she hadn’t thought we could make it work. But as we went along, we found ways to do what needed to be done. I was grateful to have people there who were willing to think it through and lend a hand.
By the end of the day, both sheds were in place without any damage. Everything we had taken out of them was back inside, along with more of Mom’s belongings that had already been packed and loaded.
We did it all in one day.
The cost was low, too—well under half of what it would have cost to hire a shed mover to move just one of them. We moved both and transported belongings along the way. Now Mom has a safe place at a friend’s house where she can lock up her things without taking on a monthly storage bill.
There is still more to move. There are still tubs, bins, and other belongings to sort through and transport. But a big part of what had been weighing on her is now taken care of.
And, honestly, I’m glad it’s over.
I carried some concern throughout the day. Having a plan doesn’t mean you know exactly how every part will go. Seeing those sheds finally sitting where they belonged brought a lot of relief.
There were good family moments mixed into the work, too. I got to share a meal with my brother and sister-in-law and spend time with my sister and brother-in-law. Lunch was on the move, but we still had that time together. We got to see Mom, help her, and get something accomplished that mattered.
Mom offered to pay me, but I told her I had it covered. This was my part. I wanted to make things a little easier for her.
She lost Jerry, her husband and partner of around twenty years. Now she is working through a move while carrying that loss. Moving a couple of sheds cannot take away her grief, but it can ease one of the worries she has to carry along with it.
Sometimes helping someone means taking care of something practical that has been weighing on them. Lending a truck. Bringing a strap. Working a winch. Moving another load. Giving your time so they have a little less to face alone.
I thank the Lord that the plan came together, that we got everything moved without damage, and that people were willing to show up and help.
At the end of a long day, Mom had more of her belongings safely put away, and we could all breathe a little easier.
That was worth the effort.
Leave a comment