transformation

I will never look at the word transformation the same again.  These last few months have truly re-defined this word for me.  I wish I had before pictures to show you this home.  Words can not describe it.  Imagine 40 year old carpet that had never been professionally cleaned and had homed indoor dogs (usually multiple dogs at one time), layers of dust on everything in the home that were inches thick.  Imagine peeled walled paper everywhere, the stench of mildew, toilets and showers that were permanently stained.  The saddest part of all was the stuff.  It was wall to wall stuff from one sid of the house to the other.  We don't know where my father slept in this house.  He had two beds but they were both covered in stuff.  We suspect he slept every night in a chair in the living room.  It makes me so sad to think about.  The first few times I came to his house to take care of his final wishes, it zapped me of all of my energy.  I felt total anxiety.  Not that I had to be there but that he had lived like this.  In complete filth. It was so physically draining.  It took two days of a three man team of professionals just to clear out all the junk (and that was after a month of us going in and getting anything of value out).  

But look at her now!

She is beautiful.  She sold within 3 hours of putting her on the market and for the asking price plus.  She is going to be the home of a young newlywed couple that is hoping to start adding to their family.  What was once such a sad, depressing environment has become one filled with hope and promise.  It has been transformed.  I am grateful for these past few months that I have had the chance to be a part of it.  You can not imagine the amount of work it took but change can absolutely be transformative.  And not just for houses.