I am so pleased when I can help a friend, honored to be asked to lend a hand. Whether it's a minor request such as borrowing the proverbial cup of sugar or a larger request.
Whenever my friends Shannon and Dan go away, they often ask me to water their plants. I'm pleased to help out. She is always willing to be of assistance when hubby and I go away. We know we can count on each other.
"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed." - Maya Angelou
A friendship ensued. Sarah travels to Arizona for the winters and maintains a home here, as many "snowbirds" do.
When the Covid descended upon us, we knew we wouldn't be able to see one another until conditions became safe.
I was perplexed to hear that she never left Arizona last April! Shortly before her departure date, she was handed a breast cancer diagnosis and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. She endured this alone. Never made a phone call to me or anyone. She was admitted to a nursing facility after surgery, as she was not permitted to return to her home without a care provider.
I would have been happy to help out; however, I was left in the dark. It would have been too risky to go into her home to help her, but surely I could cook meals for her a few times a week and leave them on her porch. It would have been easy for me to call and see if she needed anything.
Danielle, a dear friend of over 30 years, was planning to visit her daughter, Ava, and a new baby in California. She needed a place to stay as it wasn't safe to stay with Ava due to Covid. I live in Arizona for most of the year, and I have an apartment in California.
Danielle hesitantly asked if there was any possibility she could stay in my apartment for this visit. Immediately, I said, of course! I was tickled to help out during this special time; the birth of her first grandchild, a sweet 5 pound 6-ounce boy.
Regrettably, her driver's license had expired, and the new one had not arrived, so she could not rent a car. I offered the use of my car since it was sitting idle, and Danielle gladly accepted.
Yes, you guessed it. While parked in front of Ava's house, my car was hit by an older woman on this narrow street. She also hit the car parked in front of mine and totaled it, along with her own. Fortunately, the driver was uninjured but shaken up. It appeared my car, luckily, suffered only minor damage.
"Appeared" being the operative word. The estimate from the auto body shop was a dizzying $12,200! What? The car didn't show any significant damage. All the damage was underneath, sight unseen until it was put on the lift.
Luckily, the driver's insurance company approved the estimate, and work will be started immediately.
I have no regrets that I loaned my car to Danielle. She is my forever friend, and I would do it again. Friends are more important than things. Sure, this was a hassle both for her and me, but I consider friendships to be one of life's blessings.
"Those who are the happiest are those who do the most for others." - Booker T. Washington.
xo
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