Our water heater broke… not just ’stopped working’ in a “pilot light has gone out” kind of way. Stopped working “nearly had a house fire” kind of way. I found huge black soot marks on the outside of our (5 year old – I KNOW!) heater. My expertise comes to a grinding halt at recognizing that my expertise is zilch… I called the repair man.
It wouldn’t be fixed until tomorrow (He said). In fact (he said), it was going to cost $1000 to replace (he said). What?! (I said). Yes, a $1000 … see you tomorrow (he said). ………… (I said).
$1000?
I told my children. My two teenage girls looked slightly pale as they considered the implications of what no hot water meant. My two boys (10 and 4yrs) just smiled as they realised that we wouldn’t be making them wash themselves … Boys. Little did they know we know how to use a kettle. Ha!
I did consider calling my neighbours and offering them $100 if we could use THEIR shower for a year but I thought better of it. The picture of us trudging round there, towels in tow, did amuse me but the reality is they don’t deserve the chaos we would bring. I like them too much.
So, $1000 it was. It’s fixed now. Our short trip (24 hours) into the reality that MOST of the world experience (no hot water?!?!?) is now over. We have a lot to be thankful for.
The boys are bathed, the girls are showered and I am once again left waiting for my turn in the bathroom.
Life is good.
