Yesterday I got the chance to do a really yucky job for my sister Ruth and I was delighted. You see, Ruth has been more than a sister to me throughout my life, she has also been a close friend (while this was probably not true between ages 5 and 17, it has definitely been true now for at least 35 years or so!) I think it’s safe to say that there isn’t much I would not do for her or any of my other siblings for that matter; if it is in my power to do, I will do it as best I can. Lately, each of my sisters in their own unique ways has been so incredibly supportive that I find myself looking for ways in which I can support back. While I don’t currently have anything in the way of financial means to offer, I do have a variety of other skills, talents, and abilities that I am more than willing to offer in service to them.
So yesterday I was at Ruth’s house for dinner (as I am most weekends these days) and I asked her if she wanted me to take on the yucky job she’d mentioned she needed to get done. After all, she was in the midst of preparing the dinner of which I would shortly partake and I was just sitting there. “Yes!” She replied without hesitation (which also made me happy), securing for me some of the tools I would need to complete the task. Within a few moments, I was at it. The task itself is not relevant, though I suspect inquiring minds might want to know what it was (It was cleaning the ashes out of her fireplace, which certainly wasn’t gross or truly yucky.) No, the task didn’t matter, what did was that I was able to do it and did so gladly and with deep gratitude.
Being in a position to help and serve others is one of the greatest gifts I can think of. I have long known this, but have really come to understand and appreciate it much more deeply now. Being in a position to serve or support someone you love is that much sweeter. I had a message today from my friend who’s mom is undergoing treatment for a serious illness. She wrote with upbeat enthusiasm about how she spends the majority of her day (“from the time my feet hit the floor in the morning until I pick them up and into bed”) taking care of her mother, helping her get around and no doubt taking care of many varied needs. I’m sure that she perhaps isn’t always upbeat–caring for someone who is battling illness can be draining–but her message today was filled with obvious love and deep willingness to serve, to meet her mother’s needs whatever they might be. It’s a blessing to give and to receive as I’ve no doubt my friend and her mother are learning, as I have learned in the past months.
I was glad to perform my small service for Ruth. I wish I could do things for each of my two other sisters who have been so supportive and sweet in reaching out, having me over for dinner, and assisting me in too many ways to count. I hope to figure out how I can continue to offer my services to them all–I swing a wicked hoe, am handy with drill and staple gun and cordless screwdrivers, as well as working magic with words on resumes and cover letters and other less physical but valuable ways. I’m not going to lose sleep over what I can do for them: I believe the opportunities will present themselves in time. In the meantime, I’ll continue to serve whomever I can whenever and wherever I can, and do so in gratitude for the opportunity.
