Kindness

Ever-present hustle and bustle, honking, fast talking...it's all part of life in a big city. The first year I moved here heartburn became my constant companion. I needed to wear a sign, "Careful...I'm slow."

Sadly, I have adapted. I have come to expect people to brush past without a nod or a look. People are in a rush, and I know to get out of the way. Even your friends don't have time for small talk. That's what makes last Thursday so special...

The Chamber of Commerce sponsors a series called Leaders In Action. I am on the committee, so I had arrived at 6:45 am to set up. We had discussed the fact that snow was on its way. For a girl from Louisiana, the winter here is a killer. Everyone knows I'm from the south by the way I talk, so it's always a subject of conversation.

The speaker was kind of a bust, unfortunately. Since this is a kind of high dollar event, we were discussing how to handle possible complaints as we cleaned up. In a city full of abrupt and sometimes rude people, we knew what was coming.

But then something wonderful happened. I walked out to my car to find someone had brushed the snow from my windshield and the driver's side windows. Just like that, my day, which had been so normal (and a little bit boring from the speaker) became memorable in a great way.

I can make a difference for someone in little, seemingly inconsequential ways...and I'm going to try...everyday! Think what a difference it would make if we all did it to together.

A nice place to rest

Sometime last year I stumbled upon Ana White's Knock-Off DIY Furniture site. Her free designs are fabulous. I was very excited for Gus to make Schmillian a "big girl bed" before her brother made his debut into the family.

I feel like my purpose in life is to help others realize the talents they have but may not recognize. What does that mean, you may ask. Well, let's just say Gus wasn't completely convinced he could do this. However, I kept insisting, "Ana says anyone can do it. You're good at building things."

He reminded me he doesn't have woodworking tools. "But she says you don't need special tools. And you can build a bed in an afternoon." Eventually, he got excited about it, too. So...we called pretty last minute and were on our way to the future DDS's home.

Well, it was an adventure...leaving the building supply place with wood hanging out the windows of our car, since we don't own a truck and don't know anyone in that area that does...buying a few "must have" tools...just to mention a few things. We really took Ana at her word and only had a day to do it.

A few things didn't go perfectly, but the cheerleader in me is never far away, and I just kept praying, encouraging, complementing, laughing (a little nervously, as we had quite an investment in the project by then)...you know how it goes.

But by golly...look what Gus made...

Now, to say I was excited about this would be an understatement. My faith in Gus increased exponentially. So...

The Doctor's sons need new beds before their new baby comes. We would need to build TWO beds AND a storage unit, so we allowed TWO days before Christmas. I told you I have great faith in what Gus can do!

Well, after two LONG days in the garage in very cold temps (he cut some things here, when it was about 7 degrees), look what Gus built...

I know...there are no words. The boys were almost as excited as I was about it. They declared it the best Christmas present EVER...until the next day when they opened their other presents! It was the best Christmas present Gus ever gave me, and I have so many more projects in mind...Go, Gus, Go!!!