Today is a Sunday, I let myself sleep in as with the new job getting up at 0430 is a little rough. I'm finding I don't mind it too much, but the afternoon commute can get a little rough due to being sleepy.
Once awake I was not ready to actually get out of bed. Knowing I did not have to rush off anywhere I enjoyed a few moments of quiet. Finally, my roommates cat (whose name is Fin, but I enjoy calling him Mister Fuzzy Boots) was ready to explore my room with a focus on the world which lies under the bed. After about 30 minutes of him stirring and exploring I finally got up. Once up and functioning I made breakfast of hashbrowns, sausage and eggs. YUM!!
After dishes were done I made my way out the door and headed to feed chickies. They were happy and chatty as usual. I never knew something as simple as a chicken could make me so happy. But, they do, every single day these little hens bring me joy. With the 'girls' fed I could finally make my way to the gym. My goal is to drop 20 lbs this year. Where I began to make great strides, I have not been able to be consistent due to various things in life occurring. I think I am finally on track with my fitness goals and routine.
As I approached the gym I was thinking how my roommate, Julia, commented she would like flowers around her mailbox. Over the past couple of days I have sent her some ideas I have found on Pinterest. She was indecisive and gave me the impression she really did not care what was done, she just wanted something pretty. After the gym I headed over to Lowe's and wandered their gardening section. I was greeted with a neat display of a mailbox with a landscape arrangement. While I was not 100% crazy about their display, it did help me with some ideas. I browsed their flower section and found some Petunias, and yellow Zinnia's. I knew I would not be able to find my trowel so I headed inside to find a small hand held trowel. I couldn't find one that was cheap, but there was another little tool that I like using that was priced affordably. With flowers in tow I checked out, loaded them in my truck and headed to the house. Julia still was not home and I thought this could be a fun little surprise for her. I began pulling at the grass and weeds in the already existing flower bed. Once the tall stuff was cleared I took my little tool and began digging in the dirt. Once the dirt was dug up I arranged the flowers in the driveway so I could start playing with a design. Pretty content with what I came up with I went back to digging in the dirt to make sure I had enough dug up to plant. Then I began to plant the flowers.
For the first time in a very long time, I was able to plant something, play in the dirt and not have someone bitch or dictate at me. I didn't have to hear how it wasn't getting done how someone else wanted it. It didn't matter if it wasn't perfect. The process of getting dirt under my fingers, sweat dripping down my face was therapeutic.
I got done planting and picked up the tool and the container and stepped away. It wasn't great, and the small flower bed by the mailbox isn't done. I want to add two more rows of flowers, a layer of decorative rock and add some flowers in containers to frame it. I think once it is done, it will be pretty.
I didn't tell Julia what I did, I wanted her to find it on her own. She got in very late tonight and I asked if I could borrow her for a minute. We step outside, it had already gotten dark out and she said, "should I be concerned or worried?"
"If you think I'm taking you outside to kill you, there are people inside who could be witnesses so I think you are safe"
She laughed as I turned on the flashlight app on my phone and aimed it at her flower bed. It was a happy surprise and she gave me a big hug. I told her it wasn't done yet, and showed her a picture of the flowers I saw at Lowe's that I wanted to use to finish up the project.
What she said next, was something I was not expecting, "you are the most selfless person, this is beautiful, I can't believe you did this for me"
I still don't know what to say to such kind words. She told me how flowers around the mailbox would make her happy. She spoke how she didn't know what to do or how to get started. As I get the same way when I am feeling overwhelmed, I thought I would just get some feedback from her and just put it together and hope she would like it. I never did this to be selfless, I simply wanted to do something nice for someone who has been so good to me. I cherish her as a friend and blessed with her as one of the most amazing roommates I've ever had. To have the kind words of being told I am selfless...speechless...I am speechless at the grace.
Maybe it is because for quite some time in my life I was told how horrible I was as a person. When every single day I wake up seeking joy and asking God to guide me to be a good person. That is all I want, is to be a good person. I strive to show kindness, because I know what it is like to be treated in a manner which lacked all kindness. It is heartbreaking. I hope anyone and everyone I encounter feels appreciated, because going unappreciated can destroy a person inside. It hurts, it is painful and it can be difficult to recover from it. I give thanks to God for the good people in my life. I ask God to help me in any way I can to make sure those people know how much I appreciate them and their kindness.
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