Recently, Andy has been mowing our neighbor’s yard. We have lived next to her for almost the entire time we have owned this house and he’s always had sort of a love/hate relationship with her yard. Last year, her new husband worked very hard and kept the yard up. That has not been the case this summer. Andy got frustrated one night and mowed the yard. Then, he did the same thing the next week and the next week and so on…. About three weeks ago, she stopped by with cookies and a flower arrangement for me to say thank you for it. She told us that her husband had been transferred to St. Louis and she would be joining him soon. She also has asthma, making mowing difficult. Andy felt badly for being frustrated after discovering that information. He has continued to mow because it helps her out and keeps her yard looking nice. Today, she stopped by with a small envelope that obviously had something in it. She told me that she and her mother very much appreciated Andy helping her out because it was making things much easier for her this summer. Upon opening the envelope, I was shocked to discover this…..
The envelope contained a very nice Thank You card, $10 gift certificates to Applebee’s, Chuck E. Cheese, and Wal-Mart, and $30 in cash. I felt bad accepting it, but I also know that she would very much insist that we keep them because it’s been so helpful to her. It made me remember that sometimes our actions, no matter how seemingly mundane, can really affect others. It is a nice thing to be reminded of now and then.