
I peered into the bathroom as the gurgling sound from the shower drain got louder. Water started seeping out of the drain. No, that wasn’t water. It was sewage.
My husband Ryan and I frantically tried to sop up the mess as it poured over the shower curb, going through about seven or eight towels before it was under control. It was a Friday night, and we didn’t know where to turn.
Well, we didn’t know where to turn until I had the light bulb moment to get ahold of Ryan’s family. His grandfather and uncle were over at our house in just a few minutes, ready to help solve the problem. After vacuuming the water out of the shower and returning to evaluate in the morning, we all figured that it was a plumbing issue that could wait until Monday morning.
We assumed there was a plug somewhere, and if we didn’t run too much water at once, we still could shower and do laundry or dishes. We were wrong.
After some calls with my dad and a visit from Ryan’s father, we speculated that we had a septic issue on our hands. Here’s the worst part: We couldn’t get our tank pumped and inspected until it warmed up, and this all happened when the temperature was extremely low.
Thankful for family
Although this whole ordeal was a crappy — literally — situation, it reminded me how blessed we are to live so close to family. I knew that no matter what was wrong, Ryan’s parents and grandparents were right there to help us in any way they could.

MAKING THE MOST: Ryan’s brother Alex celebrated his birthday during this week of headaches for us. It was fun to spend the evening with family and forget about the pesky septic troubles for a bit. (Nancy Lynch)
Every night, Ryan’s parents and siblings welcomed us with open arms into their home to shower and do laundry. And without fail, they always offered to feed us, too. We had a chance to catch up each day and share some laughs, even though I was beyond frustrated with the septic issues back home. That little bit of time with family every day made me forget those problems. They were so small.
How blessed are we to have that kind of support system? How great is it to be surrounded by people who make you forget those problems that seem so big?
We are blessed beyond measure. Not everyone can go down the road into the warm embrace of family. When I was in college, that was my reality. I was miles away from home, and I missed having my family to turn to when I needed them most.
I’m so thankful to have Ryan’s family now to go to when we are in need. We are blessed to receive support from both ends, typically in the form of phone calls to my family and visits with Ryan’s family. And I do not take that for granted.
If you find yourself in a time of need like we recently have, look around. Who is there to support you? Do you overlook your parents or siblings or friends who always take you in when you need them? Take a second to thank them. And remember that you are blessed more than you know if you have that support system, no matter the circumstance.
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