My father-in-law, Richard, has lived with us for a few years, and his penchant for changing things around the house has led to many an argument. Lately, he had become fixated on the idea of having a swimming pool in our backyard to entertain his friends during the long, idle hours we spent at work. Despite my protests about the limited space and my treasured flower garden that took years to cultivate, Richard’s obsession did not wane.
One weekend, my husband and I decided to visit my parents, leaving Richard alone at home. Upon our return, the sight that awaited me was nothing short of devastating. The lush lawn and vibrant blooms I had nurtured with so much love and care were gone, replaced by a gaping hole filled with mounds of displaced earth. Richard, with a smug grin, was overseeing the chaos, proclaiming, “I’ve started the pool for you. No need to thank me.”
My heart sank at the loss of my garden, and anger seethed within me, but I held back my fury for the sake of family peace. However, Richard seemed pleased with himself, believing he had bestowed a great favor upon us by initiating this project.
The following morning, as the diggers resumed their work, an unexpected twist of fate occurred. The excavation uncovered an old, uncharted sewer line that immediately ruptured, spewing debris and causing a significant sinkhole right where the pool was meant to go. The damage was so extensive that not only was the pool construction halted indefinitely, but it also necessitated costly repairs to the sewer system and the surrounding soil stabilization efforts.
Richard watched in disbelief as his dream pool turned into a costly nightmare. The incident humbled him, and he apologized profusely for his actions. Recognizing the gravity of his mistake, Richard spent the following weeks helping to restore the garden, though the original beauty was lost forever.
Months later, the backyard slowly came back to life with new plants and flowers, different yet beautiful in their own right. Richard learned to respect my space and the sanctity of our home. From then on, he consulted us before making any decisions, and I found a new, albeit cautious, ally in my gardening endeavors. The incident reminded us all that sometimes, karma does indeed have a way of teaching valuable lessons when least expected.
