10 December 2008

What Comes Around: Karma, Version Two

"Want me to get that"?

"Um, yes. But could you start with her?" I pointed to my neighbors house.

"Sure thing". He went to work, plowing out my neighbor, then coming over and pulling me out of my drive as well as scraping it out for me, then off he went, galloping away, my knight in a shining green pick-up truck.

Gwen, my neighbor, came over with a card for me. "Why do you keep doing things for me?" She asked as I folded the $25 that was in the card back into her hand.

"I can't take your money. What I'm doing for you will come back to me someday, really. It may have already".


---
 
Last week our region was buried by a snow storm, rendering to a near complete halt the counties surrounding me. I was also incapacitated--not just by the fact that my car was quite literally buried in my drive, but because my rib was out of place.

(Digression: I have this thing called "Slipping Rib Syndrome". It's real, people. While sometimes I feel compelled to look around my doctor's office when he's talking to me and look for hidden cameras, certain that at any moment, someone will jump out and say, "Just Kidding!" or "You're on candid camera!", that hasn't happened yet. Anyway, it's real, it's very, very painful, and all they can do is give me narcotics that I can't take because I don't have the kind of life that allows me to be stoned on a whim and wait for the rib to "slip" back in.)

I looked out the window, and having a free pass from work because travel anywhere was out of the question, I took two of my aforementioned pain pills and waited a half an hour to be sure they were working. I headed out to the end of my driveway and began shoveling. About ten minutes into the project, I thought I was going to pass out from the pain, and had not even made a dent in what needed to be done.

I was standing there contemplating how in the hell I was going to get my drive done, let alone try to help my neighbor. I'd tried a couple of local snow removal services and took their hysterical laughter as a "No, lady, we're busy", and despite my mental fog, I figured that in the 12 degree weather, melting wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Right then, a truck with a plow pulled up.

"Want me to get that"?

"Um, yes. But could you start with her?" I pointed to my neighbors house.

"Sure thing". He went to work, plowing out my neighbor, then coming over and pulling me out of my drive as well as scraping it out for me, then off he went, galloping away, my knight in a shining green pick-up truck.

Gwen, my neighbor, came over with a card for me. "Why do you keep doing things for me?" She asked as I folded the $25 that was in the card back into her hand.

"I can't take your money. What I'm doing for you will come back to me someday, really. It may have already".

"You look terrible. Are you alright?"

I knew how I looked. Little A had earlier pointed out my "owies" (read: black circles) under my eyes, and my face was white as a sheet. I quickly explained that my rib was injured, and that I was sorry, but I just wanted to go in and lay down for a bit. She thanked me again and I laid down on the couch to drift in and out of my Demerol haze.

When I was drifting in and out of sleep, I kept thinking I was hearing something outside, but figured it was a dream. When I got up off of the couch to look outside, there was Gwen, my little old neighbor, finishing up shoveling off my entire porch.

I opened the door and told her she didn't need to do that for me.

To which she told me that I'd taught her all about things you didn't need to do, and that she just wanted to be sure that some of what I gave to her came back to me.

Maybe it was the effects of the drugs, maybe it was the pain from my rib, maybe it was the fact that the sun was so bright that it temporarily caused insanity, but for about five seconds, I thought, "I can do this. I can change the world".

And I'm still sort of thinking that a little.

And I'm going to need your help.

I've got this idea, this thought, this crazy voice in me telling me that there's so much more that I can do. I'm trying to wrap it all up into something presentable, so that you just can't resist opening it and acting upon it.

Anyone game for a little Karma action? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

39 comments:

Amanda said...

You? You can do this, if anyone can, really Jenn, it'd be you.

I'll be here. Right here at the ready.

Chaotic Joy said...

I am not really a huge believer in Karma but I am a believer in what you are doing. You are being a neighbor in the truest form and teacher her how to be one in return. I am so proud of you and can't wait to see what you will do next. You are a huge inspiration for me to look around and see how I can make a difference in someone's life.

I hope you feel better friend.

Lori at Spinning Yellow said...

I am definitely game! And even though I don't comment much, I do read and am always so happy when I see you comment at SY. Your posts lift me up, they are inspiring, thoughtful, and beautifully written.

That voice speaks to me, too, saying that there is more I can do.

A Big Ball of Stress said...

I know you arent looking for compliments...but it is neighbors like you that make the world a better place.

flutter said...

I'm in, baby

Sarcasta-Mom said...

I'm a firm believer in karma. Right now I'm working hard to move my life forward in a new direction, and I could use all of the good karma I could get. Sign me up for the karma project!

Vanda said...

We try and do as much as we can to help people out. Even if it's just stopping the car when we see someone broken down.

If they ask how much, or how can I pay you back I say "Just help someone else along the way, that's all the thanks I need".

I'm all for a little good karma.

Anonymous said...

Count me in. I love to witness Karma in action.

Hope you feel better...never heard of a floating rib, but it doesn't sound pleasant.

Girlplustwo said...

i'd follow you anywhere. i'm in.

Jonas said...

I truly believe that one person can change the world. It's been done before...by quite a few individuals, actually. Not all changes were for the good of mankind, mind you...but...some were.

said...

I am! Count me in.

Anonymous said...

You sound like an unusually kind person and hopefully you'll have only more help and less rib pain from here forward :)

amanda said...

Sorry to hear you are under the weather, no pun intended... I think your efforts are awesome and already coming back at you ten fold. The difference you have made in your neighbors life is probably much more than you realize. I am in awe of your selflessness.

Anonymous said...

Sign me up:)

Kerry said...

What a great story Jenn. Sorry to hear you're not feeling well but how awesome for your neighbor to reach out and help.

Oh, I'm totally in!

Lawyer Mama said...

I'm in.

painted maypole said...

ooh! ooooh! Ooooooh!!!!

(Raising my hand in the back of the classroom like a little Hermione)

Orangeblossoms said...

Yesh.... yes. I'm on this one! Also, healing, healing, healing for your rib, dear one!

Becc said...

Tears and goose bumps))))

Thanking God that he is taking care of you...

I love you- R

Bon said...

i too am a believer in what you are doing. :) and it is good and right when it comes back around, and makes the world a little nicer.

Lex - @laprimera said...

whatever it is, I can't wait to hear more!

jeanie said...

I would love to - although, I don't know how good I would be at shovelling my neighbours snow, as if we are ever to get snow there will be more problems than the driveway to contemplate!

Unknown said...

I think I get what you are saying. And I want to hear more. I have something brewing myself. It may take some time to birth.

Anonymous said...

I'm in.... we have learned about Karma together. I'm here for you. Jenn K.

MP said...

You know when you type these words you are planting seeds in many people..so just a few begin paying it forward then yes..you CAN change the world. One selfless deed at a time. :-) Happy Monday!

Amy Y said...

In like Flynn here too, Mama. :)

Kimberly said...

When I read your post this morning, the word hero came to mind. I know you enough to know that you are too humble to enjoy that title - but it's what I thought. You are a hero of hope, Jenn.

Loralee Choate said...

I suppose this hardened, cracked heart of mine could use some service and good works, karma, or whatever.

It would be nice to focus on something other than my own ick for awhile.

Count me in.

Justabeachkat said...

Hope you're feeling much better.

Great post!

Hugs!
Kat

Major Bedhead said...

I'm sort of a lurker here, but your blog is amazing. I'd love to be part of the karma thing....everyone can use some good karma.

Christine said...

you can change the world.

you can, you can, you can.

i've been meaning to call my local nursing home all day--off to do it NOW.

Christine said...

ok--I called. we're in, too. we'll change the world, we will.

i know it.

Janet said...

I was trying to explain karma to my kids the other day. They are still asking clarifying questions. I think I will have them read your post.

Anonymous said...

I'm in! I believe very strongly in karma!

Melanie D. said...

That rib thing sounds nasty - I hope it didn't stay out for long.

Your story warms my heart. I just can't imagine the change you've made in that woman's life. I picture the end of the Grinch story, where his heart grows. It's like that.

Anonymous said...

There is never too much good in the world.

I'm in.

bgirl said...

i'm in and a total believer.

Anonymous said...

Yes. I'm in. I've been given a huge advance of Karma this year, and I'd love to help pass it on.

Post away, Jenn; I'm your willing servant.

Jennifer said...

You can change the world, Jenn. You really can. And, yes, I'm so totally in.