A HFHSOC Homeowner Says Thanks

A simple Thank You really does not say enough. Way back when this all began the first thing that popped into my mind was, "I'll finally get to hang up all my pictures."When moving from rental to rental you stop hanging up pictures. What's the point, right? You never know whether or not you will be moving at the end of the year when your lease gives up. The storage unit was a more permanent fixture in our lives than was our address.

The possibility of owning a house was a distant dream. After the initial excitement of knowing that we were "the next family selected,"unusual phrases like cooperative labor and sweat equity seemed to linger in the back of my head. The overwhelming sum of 500 sweat equity hours seemed to be an impossible goal. Months have passed and I have had a lot of time to think about what these terms mean. The dictionary definition of these words doesn't really do them justice:

Working or acting together willingly for a common purpose or benefit; to strive toward a goal; the monetary value of a property beyond any amounts owed on it in mortgages, claims, etc.

This definitely defines these words but what lacks in the definitions is their true meaning. I believe, that what all this really means is this; people helping people attain a better life. This is something that a monetary value can not be placed on. Even if this house was never to be ours, the experience of helping build it has made our life that much richer. Every time that I pull into the driveway after long day's work I will always remember the efforts of everyone that made this possible.

As a homeowner just the simple knowledge that I will be able to provide my family with a stable living environment and watch my child grow up is beyond value. I hope that I can live up to everyone's expectations. The deep satisfaction that I have been given in being selected for this privilege is only a reflection of what everyone who has done the real work must feel after every house has been completed. The 500 hours my family has completed is nothing in comparison efforts of everyone involved. We have been given a new start on life. I know that this is not enough for a simple thank you.