The Daily Do-Gooder

Today has been an interesting and enlightening day, which I've decided to share with everyone. Not because I want to toot my own proverbial horn, or call attention to myself, but rather because I'm hoping to inspire some "paying it forward" do-gooder deads amongst my friends. Now, I know that I have MANY friends that already contribute to society, friend, family and neighbors on a regular basis. Donna, Kate, Vicki, Amy, and probably many more that I'm not even aware of. Because you see, it is the humility of most do-gooders that they never talk about what they've done for others. They don't seel accolades or pats on the back, they do good deeds merely because they are the RIGHT thing to do. I have only my wonderful parents to thank for instilling that virtue in me. My folks are awesome, amazing, giving and humble people. Me? Well, not so humble....but I like to think the rest applies. At any rate...here is how the day went;

I moved to my condo in January of this year. There is a nighbor next to me who has been in a nursing home ever since I moved in. His name is Frank, and I've never met him. His house has been vacant and he has an adult son who comes by every now and again, but I've never met him either. I pass by Franks patio every now and then (my kitty Lucky used to like to sit on his patio wall and bask in the sun) and it always makes me sad that his patio is overgrown and in a state of decay. So today I got his son Tim's phone number and sent him a series of (what he probably thought were odd) messages asking him if I could clean his fathers patio for him. Truth be told, my initial interest in the cleanup was partly selfish. I love gardening and cleaning up old spaces - and I was looking for a new project. Once I had asssured Tim I was not a crazy person - and didn't expect any compensation, he gave me the go ahead. So I started in on Franks old, abandoned and overgrown patio.

I was maybe 30 minutes into the cleanup when I started uncovering the carefully terraced planters, and the many pots and plants that were dying underneath. It struck me that at one time Frank must have put quite a deal of care and time into his patio garden, and it saddened me that it had fallen into such a bad state. I remember my own Grandmothers house and gardens, when she got too ill and old to care for them - and how my brother and I tried to clean it up for her. I thought of Emily's Mamaws garden in Kentucky and how beautiful it must have been when she tended it daily - only to fall into disrepair after she passed away. Time and neglect erasing all the beauty that once gave so much joy to our friends and relatives. And so the clean up of Franks patio became more of a tribute to him, and much less of a hobby for me. I hoped that one day Frank comes home from the nursing home - if nothing more than to see his lovely patio and sit outside in the sun. But if that never happens than at least I've helped my neighbor and that fills me with a sense of warmth and accomplishment.

I'm now thinking of ways to do more of these types of things. Maybe organize a "community cleanup" with some of my friends or police officers I know. Surely there are other elderly or disabled people that need help with their yards and such? Most people don't like to ask for help, I know. But maybe friends or family members can "suggest" or "nominate" someone in need. I've got this idea in my head and everyone knows once I get one of my bright ideas I'm not soon to give up on it! Wish me luck....and help me "pay it forward!"