Friends are essential
This post is a thank you post to my friends and family who have kindly and quickly responded to our needs this last week. On the way to Little Athletics, the car’s temperature gauge showed hot. Water was added and a trip to the Mechanic developed into a possible expensive engine rebuild. We baulked at that idea and work on the car has been put on hold. Then my $20 mountain bike started to make horrendous noises as I peddled along. The already exposed bearing are obviously not liking the absence of grease. Took that to the repair shop and they wanted me to pay $400, or simply get a new one for $500. On Wednesday, the Mrs messaged me at work saying that the pram which she uses to push the 3 year old and 2 month old in, has broke. Apparently it got a flat tyre and she had to carry both children and the pram. After coaxing along the three year old, they got home about 20 minutes later.
Altogether the monetary cost of replacing all of these items is prohibitive, and because the car is a luxury in the city we’ve decided to increase the amount that we walk. It was kind of thrust upon us anyway, but we may as well face the loss of the car as if it was our decision right??
Then our friends came to our aid. We had 3 offers of cars. 2 small cars (one in Sydney & one in Brisbane), and we considered both these generous offers. Then a friend who also owns a motorbike called to say his Toyota Landcruiser is available and can carry 7 passengers. Not having to face a repair bill and a relief, although really were just putting off the inevitable, we are going to have to get a car eventually. Turns out though that by adding some thinkning agent to the water, any problem we where having has sealed up. Still we believe we are over driving a manual and think its got to go.
The bike received some oil love and is working better, but another friend has offered an unused bike and will deliver it next week. It’s another mountain bike, in like new condition, but that has sat around for 18 months without being used.
The inner tube in the pram was a $6 repair kit from the Mobil service station and about 20 minutes later – after borrowing a pump from our friends across the street – the pram was a go.
Without friends who willing give, we would be very unhappy now. Instead I am grateful for their willingness and the speed at which that exercised their agency in caring for our family. A big thank you to them all.