TJ and I have helped the neighbors at times clear sidewalks and driveways. When they get around to clearing things out, they do theirs. And just BARELY theirs. With Troy out there struggling so much, Larry across the way came out with a brand new snowblower. He did his driveway and walkway, his old spinster neighbor's driveway and walkway (the one TJ helped out on Saturday), THEN he did the sidewalk for the ppl behind us...while Troy was out there struggling with the snow. He never offered him any help. The ones beside us I cleared their sidewalk for them twice. They have never offered any help, either. Old Mr. Kyle across the street has a snow blower...he did his walkway, etc. yesterday...twice. He didn't bother helping anyone else. The guy beside HIM (Corky) has a snowblower...he does his driveway but doesn't bother going beyond his own lines, either.
Where we used to live had kinder ppl and I didn't know it. There was a guy that lives a few houses down...although I was never exactly sure which house. I didn't know him, he didn't know us, but when it snowed he would get his snowblower out and take it all the way down the sidewalk...past 3-4 houses doing, not only everyone's sidewalks, he would clear their driveways too. It didn't cost him a lot of time. He was quick at it. It cost him gas and I did manage to get outside once when he was doing it to thank him. He just smiled and nodded and said he didn't mind. He never asked for anything...he just did it cuz he could.
I told Troy that if we had a snowblower, I would do most of the sidewalks and even a few driveways...take for instance the old couple across the street from the Kyle's. Now Larry did his driveway and that of the old lady next door but he couldn't go down the sidewalk just a BIT farther to do the driveway and sidewalk for that old couple! Nor could Mr. Kyle be bothered to go across the road!
My father has always been kind to others that way. He has used his snowblower to help others clear their driveways. And when his neighbor Ray was alive, he would mow grass for others...and my dad would help out Ray when he got feeble.
My parents have always put themselves out there and were always helping others out. They didn't ask for anything in return...not even so much as a pat on the back. They did it out of the kindness of their Christian hearts. I have learned that from them.
I get so very upset when other ppl have the attitude,"What's in it for me?" well...let's see...just the happiness of knowing that you did a good deed! It is a good thing that GOD doesn't have that attitude!
On the other hand, when someone does something nice for me, I make sure to let them know I appreciate it! Like 'the snowblower guy'. I don't think anyone even thanked him for doing what he did.
I always thank the one in the store that bags my groceries and let them know I appreciate it. I know it is their job but does that mean they should never be given so much as a kind word? It kind of helps them get through the day. I even told one woman that waited on me in McDonalds (in front of her supervisor) that she was the most helpful and pleasant person I had ever had wait on me at ANY McDonalds EVER. She looked so surprised and grinned and said, "Why thank you! You made my whole week!" Let's face it...no matter what you do for a living, it isn't all that pleasant and it is nice when someone gives you ANY kind of a compliment.
So, that is my goal for this year...one compliment given per week...at least. It really isn't that hard. And it doesn't cost anything.
Max in the snow
Max trying to dig through the snow and ice to find the ground!
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