"It's In the Genes"

For the past five summers my sister-in-law has come up from Florida to visit us for a week to ten days. My wife refers to it as "sisters' week" and looks forward to it with enthusiasm each year. It is a bright spot for her and one when special things get done.

Now we see Lou Ann (her sister) and her family at other times of the year, but this is a unique week. This is the "time of the project." Months before the summer week arrives, my wife Terry talks with her sister and they begin to plan their project. The first year it was a "makeover" of our bedroom. 

As I learned of their plans, I made my plans. A friend and I went to Biloxi for the week. Now don't get your hackles up, ladies. I didn't abandon my wife and leave the work to her. She wanted me to go. She was happy to see me depart. She was glad to get me out from underfoot. The reason is, when it comes to "redoing" I am totally inept.

My wife's father, now retired, was a building contractor. He can "redo" anything. He can also build houses, or just add on a room or two. That talent was passed on to his two daughters. They know how to handle all those machines that I can't even pronounce. Is there something called a "miter saw"? Anyway they can paint, build, finish, etc with the best of them. And this is what they do each summer.

My father was a bread salesman. He was easy-going, pleasant and funny. I hope I inherited some of those traits. He didn't pass on anything mechanical. He didn't have a shop. He wasn't a tinkerer. If something needed to be repaired, he got a neighbor to fix it or he hired someone. That is what he passed on to me.

The first summer's bedroom redo was a major success. It honestly looked like something out of "House Beautiful." When I came back and saw it, I immediately took the women out for a big meal to celebrate. I do know how to dine in style, and this was an occasion that called for that to happen.

The next year I went to Biloxi and they redid my office. The next year I went to Biloxi and they redid the rooms designated for our grandchildren. The next year was the guest bedroom. This year it was the dining room and upstairs hallway. Next year they are going to redo the kitchen! That is going to be a big project.

The amazing thing is they love "working." I would see this as cruel and unusual punishment, but they go about their tasks like it was the greatest joy possible. They talk, they laugh, they take coffee breaks, and they plan other projects. It is amazing!

Why is it that they like to do this? The answer is the genes. It is the only way I can explain it. There is something to be said for the traits and tendencies we inherit. We can't escape them; they are just part of our body makeup.

Oh! and another thing they thoroughly enjoy is watching all those "home makeover" shows. They can sit for hours watching one makeover show after another. They know Paige, Frank, Vern, etc. and speak of them as if they were old friends.

God gave us all different talents. I am thankful he made my wife and her sister the makeover queens. They do the work and I get the benefits. It works for me.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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