It’s 10:00 at night in our cozy 1200 square foot home.  My husband is at his wits end after coming home to a beyond clogged toilet after a long, hot day at work.  Let’s be real-it’s just a shitty situation (pun intended… pun very much intended!).  He’s tried everything- a snake, an auger, a shop vac, the tride and true method of electrical taping garbage bags to your arms so you can just scoop some poop—all of which he’s run back and forth to Taylor’s Do It Center for.  We’ve divided in order to try to conquer, with me taking charge of trying to get the kiddos out of the way and to bed, and him taking on the solo mission of the de-poopification of the bathroom (that’s the technical term lol).  We’re both failing miserably, but we’re pushing forward.  And then our neighbor and old friend gets home from work after a day of hard work as well.  He has a headache and is in pain because of his back, but he hears of our “potty problems” and decides to come over to help.  We were gathered around in that cramped bathroom with our toilet on its side, cheering it on like it was about to give birth. Suddenly hours of what feels like directionless, fruitless work turns into a minute-by-minute countdown to the sweet relief of an unclogged toilet.

I read something once that said, “Make your friends long before you need them.”  At first that can sound a bit calculated or contrived, but after close introspection you realize it’s nothing of the sort.  It means reach out (sometimes be the one to make the first move), be vulnerable, be willing and able to be there for others, and make bonds with people.  And as a bonus they’ll most likely do the same.  I thank my husband for being such a leader when it comes to doing this.  I have a tendency of being more shy and am one to be kind to people but have trouble getting past the pleasantries and kind “hellos” with neighbors.  I dream of wonderful relationships with them, but get a bit stuck at times... or maybe don’t want to put in the effort. Whereas my husband is the one to go out of his way to exchange numbers or offer a meal (which I’ll of course have to make) or offer a hand to someone, forging a relationship and feelings of trust.  Honestly, there have been times I’d almost huff and puff under my breath and the insensitive person in me would think, “Oh come on dude, enough!!”  But I’ve come to realize it’s been my insecurities and my thoughts of inconvenience that have held me back.  And I must tell you my friends, it should never be an inconvenience to get to know someone or show them your kindness, especially the people that live around you.  So, I appreciate my husband’s zaniness and willingness to lend a helping hand.  And maybe, just maybe, your neighbor will even help you “deliver” your remote from your gross toilet after a long day at work.  The next day we ran over and bombarded him with some cookies for his help and kindness.  I’m not sure if he even wanted them, I think he was just glad that it had nothing to do with poop.       

~Tara xo

Gnarly Things to Check Out 

Scripture Verse: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” -Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Cookie recipe: Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies