My neighbor was talking to me last fall, he wanted to put an extended roof on two sides of his cabin. It would almost assuredly fix his flooding problem from rain and snow. A pretty substantial project. He asked for my help…of course I would help.

One tidbit of information…he lives 3 hours away in a big city area but this is his weekend cabin, a vacation retreat, and a place of safety for him and his family.

This past weekend we finished putting the metal panels on the roof. Saturday was one of those spring days that reminds you why you live here. Blue sky, light breeze, and temperatures that made working outside a true pleasure…one to be treasured.

Another friend and neighbor also came over to help…a disabled veteran and nice guy, kinda gruffy if you didn’t know he was a big burly guy but a teddy bear. It was amazing having that extra set of hands! And it didn’t hurt any that he had brought along a Diet Coke and a Pepsi…that put a smile on my neighbors face…and a smirk on mine. Teddy bear through and through!

Sunday was another nice day, clear blue skies again…really blue…but much warmer…and windy by lunchtime. But by lunchtime Sunday we had the last of the metal roof panels up and secured. I was glad of it because the panels were getting hot and the wind picking up. I was grateful that both days we were starting at 6am…well before the sun can get a bit intense, even this time of year.

Let me back up a minute…this project started last September when we put in the 4×4 posts and set the 4×6 beams in place. Man, it was hot. Later in the week he texted me that he was in the hospital. He had done something to his leg while he was at his cabin working and developed sepsis…he was really sick. A week later later he was out of the hospital and back at work.

Then a couple months later, when he had some more vacation time, he was back and we put up the rafters and blocking. It was taking shape really nicely. Then the holidays hit. It wasn’t until last month that we put up the purling but had to call it quits when he was just too over the top frustrated and family was coming up to the cabin. Then came this Friday when he texted me that he was at the cabin. And for your information…that means right across the dirt road from our property.

So there we were noon Sunday looking at the roof…amazing! And of course then we had to sit down under that new roof appreciating the shade. Well, and harassing each other like we were serious…which of course we weren’t. But, what the heck…what are friends for if we can’t make fun of each other. We laughed for 45 minutes at each other…a good time for us old timers. Well, I’m the only old timer…they’re in their mid-50’s…kids!

I eventually decided to round up my tools and head home to lunch with my wife. As I turned to get into my truck and leave, I looked back at that finished roof and something occurred to me…people often ask what preparedness looks like.

The funny thing is that this same neighbor leaves his tractor at my place. He lives three hours away, but trusts me to use it whenever I need it. Last week I used that tractor to improve the private roads that serve fifteen families in our area…and have done so for years. And two weeks ago his wife was headed up to join him for the weekend…she was nice enough to haul up a buffet that my wife bought in the big city where they happen to live.

Preparedness isn’t always about what you own. Sometimes it’s about who you know, who you help, and who would show up if you needed a hand.

Let me back up even further, two years ago I had a problem with my wife’s SUV. I just didn’t have the skills to fix it. Well, guess what? That same neighbor came over and did the repair in less than an hour. A local shop wanted $1000 to fix it.

Hang on…last year that same neighbor needed/wanted a new solar system at his cabin but he lacked the skills to design, buy, and install a new system. Yup, you got it…I worked on that project with him. And what happened to his old solar system equipment? Oh you are good…he gave them to me to upgrade my old solar system at my small shop.

Now, let’s talk about the “vet” neighbor that helped us…after my leg surgery two years ago he was the man that came over and carried me up the stairs to get into my house. Oh, and it is his wife that picks up specialty items for my wife from the big city when she goes there on business once a month. Oh, and she is the one that I gave cherry tomato plants to last year and this…she dearly loves cherry tomatoes.

And just one more little item to share…my neighbor from across the road and I helped the “vet” put a roof on his house 3 years ago…took us 8 days. But that same vet goes over to a more severely disabled vet’s place, a mile away, 2 – 3 times a week to help him out. And that severely disabled vet has a small dump truck that he lets us use to haul rock for the roads…that saves us a ton of money vs having it delivered.

Do you see where I’m going with all of this?

Yeah, food storage has its place. Lead and brass have their place too. But preparedness is also about family and community.

How prepared are you if you don’t have people around you that can count on you…and on whom you can count?

The goal of self-reliance isn’t to eliminate dependence on others. The goal is to become capable enough that others can depend on you.

Just something to think about…

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