Y’all know how often people say: “If you need ANYTHING, just give me a call,” but when you do, you’re met with, “oh, I’d love to help you with that but … feel free to insert any excuse you’ve heard here.”
I’ve found this to be true ESPECIALLY when it comes to moving. Readers, you ALL know EXACTLY what I’m talking about! Now don’t get me wrong, I KNOW there are plenty of LEGITIMATE reasons people may not be able to help you, especially last minute—this article IS NOT directed at those individuals.
As many of you know, I don’t drive. I do have MANY acquaintances and a few people I consider close friends. I’m often hesitant to ask those I do have for help for fear of getting the response mentioned above.
Thankfully, that was NOT the case with Dean! I called him up and told him on short notice that I needed help getting 2 weeks’ worth of stuff to a hotel while my apartment building underwent renovations.
His response?: “Just give me a call when you need me and I’ll be there.”
And he was! Upon arrival, he carefully loaded all the stuff that was packed to go to the hotel (unlike the movers hired by the apartment complex), including dishes, food, clothing, multiple cats, and all their cat supplies. After making two trips from my apartment to the hotel and back, he could’ve said “OK, I’ve done what I said I’d do, I’ll see ya later,” but that is NOT his way. Instead, he said “You guys are gonna need something to eat, aren’t you? I doubt you feel like cooking.
Where would you like to go?”
I must admit, it was a tempting offer, but I didn’t want to take advantage of his kindness any further. But then he suggested the restaurant Cinco De Mayo and that’s where we went. Yum!
We returned to the hotel with our tummies full and tried to get settled in. After saying our goodbyes, my granddaughter and I each took a turn in the shower and FINALLY got to the end of what had been a LONG day. You’d think that’d be the end of the story; but wait, there’s more!
Three weeks later we had what you might call “the same song, second verse.”
It was time to return home, so I called Dean, and once again, he came to the rescue, first loading the car with all my stuff and dropping it off at my ‘newly renovated’ apartment. In between loads he even took me to run a vital errand at the bank.
In the midst of all the chaos, I somehow managed to lose my little calico cat, Piglet, who’s faster than greased lightning ( and, as many of my readers know, I am not!).
One of the hotel guests said they’d seen her and Dean immediately went to look for her, at one point even disappearing into the woods.
Now you’d think after ALL that he’d be ready to get rid of me for sure. But instead, he took me to pick up my granddaughter from school and took us to get something to eat, AGAIN!
After helping me get a few things situated that were obviously in the wrong place (the microwave in the living room floor, the freezer in the hallway, etc.) we parted ways again.He left me with these parting words: “Don’t panic, you probably won’t be able to find anything for about a month.” Let me tell you, truer words have NEVER been spoken!’
Though I haven’t seen him in person since that day, he has called and texted to check on me. To me, it’s AMAZING that he did all of this for me and my granddaughter.
It’s even more impressive when I stop to consider the fact that he is older than me and has had his own medical issues to deal with. Still, he was true to his word!
In addition to Dean, there is someone else who is equally deserving of high praise—and many thanks — his wonderful wife Louise, who was kind enough to send him to provide me with the assistance I needed. I find it difficult to put into words what feel for them, but hopefully, they (and you) will understand if I explain it this way:
There is the family we are born with that we can’t change, and then there’s the ‘family’ that helps provide for your physical, mental, and emotional needs that we choose for ourselves. Or perhaps they find us by the grace of God.
I suspect these individuals are often unaware of the positive effect they have on the lives of those they touch, but their magnanimous spirit comes through in ALL they do for others. All I can say in response is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!
With As Much Love As My Heart Can Hold,
Norma B.