Heather Williamson

Poetry on roots, love, life and faith

The Roofing Company


Imagine. There's a hole in the roof. You don't know how it got there, but it's there,
a circle about 1 metre in diameter. And rain is forecast.

So you phone The Roofing Company. They are the people you have to call if there
is a hole in your roof. They say someone can come and take a look in about a month.
So you wait.

In a month a man visits and, after looking briefly from across the street, says he will
arrange for someone to sort things out.

Two months later a man arrives with two small buckets and a piece of plastic sheeting
that he lays across the rafters in the roof space. He smiles and leaves.

After a number of very rainy days, water seeps over the edge of the plastic sheeting
and out of the buckets, and damp patches appear on the bedroom ceiling. The house
begins to smell.

So you call The Roofing Company. You ask, "Is there anyone who can fix a roof?" "Oh
yes," the man replies, "someone can take a look for you."

Three months later a man visits, scratches his head, and leaves. Six weeks later,
someone arrives with a dehumidifying unit and a bottle of Febreze. "That will help with
the damp ceiling and the smell," he says.

That night, as the rain falls heavily, patches of plaster fall from the bedroom ceiling and
the carpet is squelching underfoot. Mold is forming on the walls.

With a sigh, you make a mental note to call The Roofing Company in the morning.

Now imagine there is no hole in the roof. Imagine your child is in need of specialist
mental health care and you have to call The Roofing Company.
You know who they are.

Response

  1. Heather Williamson Avatar

    I will comment here, that after years of waiting, we eventually went private and THEN with a 13 year old on antidepressants we were allowed to see Camhs (who are lovely when you get to them). Second child has a private appointment tomorrow…..

    With grateful thanks to those who funded these appointments.

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