1st World Problems

Soon before James and I started dating, we traveled to New Orleans to help with the rebuilding efforts.  This trip, as well as others, left a keen awareness for the plight of the city. 

Yesterday we drew nearer to understanding their experience.

After days and days without rain, we were inundated by a fast and furious downpour.  The storm sewage was left with nowhere to go, so it hung out in our street.  College kids water hiked, and a few daring cars plowed through the water up to the wheel wells. 

Almost as quickly as it came, it also receded.  But not before leaving our basement with over 3 feet of water!  Our furnace, water heater, and power tools all enjoyed a thorough swim in the lake that was our basement.  Our plastic storage bins bobbled through the mire like sea buoys.  What a nightmare!

But as our anxiety rose over how to deal with all of this, we stopped and talked through a phrase we've been recently pondering as a family.  First world problems.  One of our two air conditioning units didn't work....one of our two.  We had clean water running straight from our taps....it just wasn't hot.  Our power tools were ruined, but our insurance would replace them....brand new.

First world problems.  We can make no argument about their inconvenience, the whole experience was quite annoying.  But it certainly helped us keep things in perspective.

The water rising over our first set of stairs

The water mark in our basement