A Story I Had to Share!

This morning I awakened excited and anxious to get to the task at hand. And filled with more energy than is normal.

When you learn what that task was you’ll probably say, “She’s lost her mind! Why in the world would she find that exciting?!”

Here’s the story:

A few days ago we had a storm with lots of wind and rain.  The tree in the front of the property lost a huge limb. If I had to guess I’d say at least 15 feet long or more. Dozens of good-sized limbs shooting from that big limb.  The wood in that tree is dense and heavy.

Someone told me last night that the limb had been there a few days. I didn’t notice it until yesterday (18th) as I worked in the front border.

Since I knew cutting and hauling to the trailer (used for that purpose) would be a major job, I determined to do it the next day (the 19th).

Long-time readers will remember this post where I told of the first time after Bill’s death I was confronted with a pile of tree trunks and limbs 10 feet tall and 20 feet across. (I was wimpy but I got over it.)

 As you recall if you read that post it took me almost a month to finish cutting things with tools that would hardly cut an apple much less hard wood.

After that I determined to find a way that would be much easier. And I didn’t want to have to depend on any power tool.  The only thing I wanted to have to recharge was me!  

That’s when I discovered  pocket silky saws – my empowering partners!

Thus, my first reasons for rejoicing about the task at hand were the fact that I already had several of these experiences behind me, therefore  knew I could do the job, and my silky saws were ready.

My other reasons for rejoicing were even better.

When I hurt my leg July 7th it left me unable to move my leg and thus unable to walk.

I was on the floor for almost a month because I couldn’t move my right leg or pull myself into my chair. That was important not only because the floor was so hard and uncomfortable, but also I needed to be in a sitting position to try to stand and walk with the aid of the walker.

Finally, on July 26th I made it into the chair, was able to stand with the walker, and get to the kitchen.

Continuing my exercises for my leg, plus healing herbs, and practicing walking with the walker each day — I finally made it outside on August 6th.

(My outside walker that has wheels made it possible to get around more quickly.)

A jungle greeted me in the garden.

We’d had several weeks of dry weather when I fell and then after that we had many rain storms. Thus, the jungle of morning glories, some grasses, tomatoes that had grown unruly,  summer poinsettia, zinnias in unwanted places, and invasive trees that grew  3 to 5 feet from seed or from just small thin offshoot roots that they’ve spread throughout the garden.

In spite of all that, I was so happy to connect with the earth and my garden again that I couldn’t help but literally cry for joy.

Bottom line for the other reasons to rejoice:

After not being able to stand or walk just a few weeks ago, and now having the energy to do the job even though I’m over 80 years old was exhilarating! 

But the story doesn’t end here.  It gets more amazing.

We live on a main highway that is busy early morning and late afternoon with folks going and coming from work.  Hundreds of cars and trucks passed as I worked on the big limb.

I was visible to all as was my crutch and walker since the limb stretched to within about 6 feet of the highway.

As I worked on removing the limbs I thought of Bill. (Long time readers know he was the love of my life and still is although he’s been dead 9 years in October.)

I couldn’t help but think of his reaction if he had seen a widow of 80 + years attempting this job.

A Story from Many Years Ago Will Give You the Answer.

We came to this area over 42 years ago with only 80 dollars and lived in a “stabilized” trailer that belonged to someone Bill had worked with.

Several months later Bill posted index cards in the post office with “Can Do Odd Jobs” –call  – and then the phone number of the phone in the trailer.

A widow in her 80s was the first person to call. The threshold at her doorway had been eaten by termites and she needed that replaced. Bill did the job.

When he arrived home he told me the following story:

This lady had not had running water for over a year. Something was wrong with her pump and it was beyond her means to have someone fix it. 

Someone she knew was at least kind enough to bring her several bottles of clean water each week.  But I know from experience that when you’re using water to keep clean, drink, cook etc. a few bottles won’t get the job done like most of us would prefer.

Bill told me, “I think I can fix her pump, but I didn’t want to tell her until I came back to see if I had the right tools to do the job.  I have just enough gas to get back to her place and home again.”

He went back and fixed the pump. She was shocked that he had come back to try to help her and not charge her.

When the water started flowing, saying she was happy is an understatement.  This lady told Bill that her “church group” had known all this time she didn’t have running water but had never offered to help her.

Unfortunately many talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk that the talk would indicate. 

Bill never said much but he definitely walked the walk.

The Rest of the Story

As I continued to work on the limbs, I was interrupted by a truck pulling into the driveway about 6 feet from where I was working. It was an older dust blue, great looking pick up truck in excellent condition.  I couldn’t help but think of how Bill would have loved an older truck like that.  (Come to find out, this truck had over a half a million miles on it!)

The man who emerged immediately went to the back of the pick up and pulled out a chainsaw.  As he walked towards me he said, “I had to turn around and come back. I couldn’t let you do all that.” And after he had cut things he said, “I can take it away if you want.”  I was thrilled.

That was so much like what Bill would have said and done.  No frills  – no fuss — just help when needed.

This was a working man. On his way to work with still a 20 minute drive ahead of him.

And yet when I wanted to tell him something he stopped and listened attentively— or “respectfully” might be a better word.  Very rare in this day and age.   

That was another thing that Bill did that set him apart.  He listened.

This man had so many characteristics of Bill – the truck Bill would have loved, listening respectfully, few words, and being willing to help just because he could and it was needed, even if it was not convenient.

Yes, I could have done the job but it would have taken me at least the rest of the day, if not longer, to cut and haul.

How I wish I could somehow have given more than words of thanks and gratefulness to this man for the kindness he showed me. It meant so much.

I ask the Creator of all things to shower him with blessings throughout his life for his compassion and kindness to me.

Final Thoughts

I wrote this post because I thought there were numerous things here that would be encouraging to many.  I hope you are one of the many.

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