What Matters

Our doorbell rang unexpectedly again on Sunday morning.  Baby Girl came running into our bedroom crying out, "Dad your friend is here!"  Hubs and I exchanged puzzled looks.  We were unsure what 'friend' would be on our doorstep so early in the morning.  Then Studly chimed in, "Dad, it's Jerry."  

I have to admit I was kind of surprised.  I did not know what to expect from him, but my hope was that he would return if he was in need.  

Hubs met him at the front door with sleep still in his eyes.  He smiled and greeted him warmly.  Jerry asked if there was any work he could do?  Hubs told him we needed to hold off mowing the lawn for a few more days, but that we would gladly pay him to mow it on Wednesday.  He then asked Jerry if he needed anything to eat?  I made him a sack lunch and he walked away.  

As I laid in bed Tuesday night mulling over different ideas, my agenda of things to do this week and next, my hopes for the summer, and the loads of laundry I had completed the day before (I was still patting myself on the back for having completed that monumental task) I wondered for a moment if Jerry would be at our door the next morning.  I then mentally scanned my cupboards wondering what meal I could provide for him.


Nine a.m. the next morning our doorbell rang.  Jerry was here to mow our lawn and was curious if we had any extra gas because the lawnmower he had borrowed was almost empty.  (Our lawnmower is broken and hubs has been unable to repair it.)  Our gas can was in dire need of filling.  


I hopped in the car to remedy the gas situation while Jerry got started. 


 As I was leaving the gas station my stomach growled.  Luckily my favorite fast food breakfast restaurant was in view.  I ordered sausage egg and cheese biscuits for Jerry and I and headed toward home.  


My husband took the sandwich and a RC Cola I had purchased to Jerry.  When Hubs came in he commented that he got the impression that Jerry wasn't sure how to mow a lawn 'properly'.   We shared a smile that meant it didn't matter to us.   What mattered was Jerry.  


When the work was complete Jerry rang the doorbell again.  I stepped out on the front porch to hand Jerry a fresh bottle of water, a snack for the road and the agreed upon payment for his work.  He smiled at me and proudly stated that he thought the backyard looked 'worlds better' than it had before he set to work on it.  I have to agree.