*note: I started writing this on Sunday, so the references to yesterday and today are referring to Saturday and Sunday*
Around Christmas time, radio stations tend to play Alabama’s “I Believe There Are Angels Among Us” more frequently. I realized yesterday just how genuine and good some people are. Again this morning, I saw another example. Okay, this one is embarrassing, but I haven’t been feeling well the past couple days and so when I woke up this morning, I didn’t stay awake long. Sooo, when I woke up and actually stayed awake, the news was long gone and I found myself watching Nascar Angels. It was a little bit of a trainwreck but they were giving a man a “new” truck because he little car was a POS. So the recipient of this “new” truck spends his time helping people by building houses. He volunteered after Hurricane Katrina and then again for Hurricane Ike.
Yesterday, 5 people showed up to help me paint my house. My living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedroom are all freshly painted and ridded of horrid blue-grey. I can’t even express how huge it was that the first coat and all the taping was done with the help of others. It made the touch-ups and second coat so much easier (and possible.) I couldn’t have done that much work by myself in such a short timeframe. And let me tell you the transformation is just incredible. (This is Katie from Wed/Thursday time –the future Conan?—had this painting not been done before move-in I think i would have felt less at home and excited. Now I just have to focus on arranging, unpacking, and projects. I’m all about the mood and feeling of things so the impact can’t be taken for granted here.)
Anyway, the whole painting thing–you know with the crappy monotonous tasks of taping off edges, laying drop clothes, edging, trimming, and rolling–showed me how amazing people are. They showed up on a Saturday to do crappy things just to help me. SERIOUSLY? It sort of floors me that people would do something like that for me. To me, it’s a huge deal to get the painting done.
I also realized that these people all have lives, jobs, friends, their own chores, their own volunteer work and how lucky am I know them? How lucky is the world to have them around?
It also challenges me to be the same way. To give. To help. To do crappy things to make people’s lives easier and happier. Generosity is like the little black dress: it looks good on everyone and you can wear it anywhere at any time. (did that analogy work?)
How amazing to have that impact on someone’s life. To be an “angel.” (no, I’m not going all Oprah on you.) I hope I’ve made people feel the way I felt/feel. If not, then I will just keep trying.
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Here’s the lyrics and a link to “Angels Among Us” by Alabama.
What have I done?
I was walking home from school on a cold winter’s day
Took a shortcut through the woods and I lost my way
It was getting late and I was scared and alone
Then a kind old man took my hand and led me home
Mama couldn’t see him, but he was standing there
But I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There’s always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain’t it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with thier mercy
In our time of need
Oh I believe there are angels among us
Sent down to us from somewhere up above
They come to you and me in our darkest hours
To show us how to live
To teach us how to give
To guide us with a light of love
No that analogy doesn’t work. ; )
I’m glad that I got to participate, however short my stay.
PS, that song is now stuck in my head and I’m mad at you.