When I was a kid, I loved all those superhero cartoons on television: Batman, Spiderman, X-Men and others. The hero would always swoop in at the last second and save the damsel in distress using his special abilities.
I think many do-it-yourselfers and Mr. Fix-Its have this same type of mentality, and it is a major driving force behind their motivation to fix the leaks and repair the cracks themselves. We are Peter Parker struggling to get through the day when the evil super-villains’ basement mold and leaky faucets rear their ugly heads.
Our damsel in distress cries out for help (or sometimes nags about it), and we drop everything to take it on. Instead of a utility belt or spider sense, we have a hammer and a wrench. Sometimes the battle is fierce and we walk away with a few injuries or actually making a bigger mess than when we started. The super-villain is vanquished (for now), and we go back to our secret identities as mild-mannered husbands and wives.
We don’t expect adoration or even a pat on the back — just the knowledge that we helped make our home a safer place. Do we put ourselves in danger? Sometimes. Do we know how the situation is going to turn out when we start? Not always.
So next time your caped crusader (and if you actually wear a cape, then you need to seek professional help) fixes that leaky shower head so that you can get back to the practice of bathing, take him or her aside and show your appreciation. Odds are that his cheeks will become a little rosy, and he’ll simply reply, “It’s OK. I’m your friendly neighborhood Mr. Fix-It Man.”
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