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“I’m Sorry, Did You Say Sewer Water!?”
July 14, 2010 by The Next Family
Filed under Amy Wise, Family, Interracial Families
By: Amy Wise
Nice story title huh? Amazing enough it’s my life right now. You can’t make this stuff up, nor would you want to. This is the twisted tale of what actually brought me to writing and made my marriage and family as strong as they are today.
Three years ago I owned a beautiful candy/gift store with a business partner and dear friend. We had a thriving two-family business and went to “work” every single day with smiles on our faces. On August 17th 2007 everything changed and our world was flushed down the toilet….literally! We found out that the water our building was receiving was not drinking water but reclaimed sewer water! Yes, that’s right….sewer water! We finally realized why we all kept getting sick, and to make matters worse, the media onslaught began, the customers ran away, and we had to close our beautiful store. We went from being the “sweetest candy store” to the “sewer candy store.”
Um….gross!
The Otay Water Dept. and all the other parties that had a hand in the negligence, stood in front of the news cameras and said, “This is our fault and we are going to do the right thing!” However, once the cameras went away, they ran as fast as they could to their attorneys and have destroyed us ever since. The destruction of our dream, the illnesses, and the financial devastation, have, needless to say, been more than we could handle.
Three years later we are STILL fighting for what’s right! It’s unbelievable to me! Justice? I’m not sure what that means anymore. We are now being sued by the very landlord/builder that rented the space to us, because we “broke” our lease! We are also being sued by the banks because the store that no longer exists can no longer pay the loans. They said, “The lawsuit is taking too long,” and they want their money! THEY think it’s taking too long!? Really!? Suing the victims?! Wow! Can you say, INJUSTICE!?
The tears have now dried up, and the bitterness and anger have turned to determination. I will never stop fighting for what’s right! The “big guys” always think they can win, morals be damned…but this time the “little guys,” or in this case, “little gals,” are stronger than they ever realized, and we will never ever give up!
What does all of this have to do with my marriage, family, and writing? Well, pretty much everything. When you lose all you’ve worked for your entire life, have utter financial destruction, health problems, and then have to totally start over, all at the hands of someone’s gross stupidity, you either make it or you don’t. There is no middle ground. My husband has been my rock, heart, and soul. He has seen me rise, fall and rise again…actually, more like picked me up off the floor and stood me up again! My daughter, bless her heart, has had to adjust to a Mom who was home for dinner, who had the freedom to come and go from her business, who was happy every single day, to a Mom who has been holding on for dear life while totally starting over. Our lifestyle is completely different now, but the one thing that remains is our never-ending love. Nothing and no one can take that away from our family!
My husband and I have dealt with so much in our 18-year interracial relationship and that is why I write. We keep making it through all the insane trials and tribulations and we keep coming out even stronger in the end. So in a sense, tragedy is turning to triumph as we take all the bad that continues to get thrown our way and turn it into good. I will keep writing, I will keep growing, I will become stronger, I will never give up. I have even been called “Tinkerbell” because I always believe people will do the right thing. I have seen the worst in people these last three years, but I have also experienced the best. What goes around comes around and Karma IS still my friend…I believe it!
Amy,
WOW. I feel for you and your family. I wish the city, landlord and everyone else would help you win the case rather than give you more aggravation. I hope you will continue to write on this as updates occur. So glad I found you and introduced you to The Next Family. You are terrific.
Madge,
It is still amazing to me that we have had to fight at all. In a world where people do the right thing, if you mess up, you make it right. It seems this does not apply to govt. and corporate entities these days. They mess up….they hurt people….and they walk away. It’s actually kind of sickening. I’m a fighter though and I’m not going anywhere. They can keep aggravating me…it only makes me stronger! =) Thank you for your sweet words! I am thrilled you found me, and so happy to be part of The Next Family Fam!
Amy
Do you think eventually they will pay? Have you tried mediation? You know here in LA 97% of the cases are settled before the court date. Set a date for court. It works. I have been a mediator for the court system and it forces people to settle. Those vested in the drama even can settle. Good luck. I hope you keep on giving us updates.
Amy,
I soooo hear you and have been in very similar shoes in my lifetime. Several times, unfortunately. In the past, I’ve lost everything and been bankrupted. I’ve had my house ripped out from under me. All I can say is – this is what makes us who we are. Norma Rae’s aren’t born, they’re made. Some of us are chosen for that. It sucks, but…what would be worse is if you were the kind of person to tuck tail and run. What I tell myself when I’m in these situations is – hey, at least I can look in the mirror every day without regret.
My kids lived through those tough years and I think they learned a lot from seeing me stand up and fight. My kids are grown now and they don’t take crap from anyone. I like that. : )
Stay strong girl- think of Oprah, and all she’s stood up to in her life. Be OPRAH!
The force is with you….
Oh Madge if only it were that easy. Our trial date has been changed 4 times! Because it is the water dept, city, developer, contractor, landlord, etc it’s just a BIG fat mess! I will keep you posted on the madness. =) Thanks for the comments and wishes!
Amy
Hollye,
I know…I totally hear ya! It makes us who we are and shows us what we are made of! I am stronger every single day. I have my moments and then those moments get added to the “strength pile” and BOOM I’m ready for more! Thank you for the kind words!
Amy
Hi Amy~ Just read your article. Wow! Your story is inspiring. Stay strong. You’ve come a long way and I know you will come up on top. My best to you always! =)
Lillian
Lillian thank you so much! I appreciate it! It’s been such a road and it’s still not over but we just keep on fighting and have to know that in the end the right thing will happen!
Amy
This is all soooo wrong! I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
I am confused by the sign…it says wash hands after contacting. Are they saying that if you have this water come out of a faucet then you must wash your hands elsewhere?
ARC thank you for the prayers. In reference to the sign…it is not to come out of faucets. It’s only meant for plants and grass. Sadly the pipes got switched in our building and the humans got the sewer water and the plants got the drinking water!