Family

We returned about a week ago from our trip to Folly Beach with our friends. During the time we were gone and since we’ve returned, I’ve thought a lot about the kindness and love that exists among my family and my friends. I consider myself quite lucky to belong to such loving bunches.

Before we left, I spent some time visiting with my mom and her parents. I don’t spend as much time as I should with my grandparents, and I wanted to visit with them before leaving town. It’s always interesting for me to sit down “catch up” with them about life's happenings…. They always ask for details on my job, my husband, the house, etc. Their questions and interest in my life give me a sense of comfort knowing how much they care.

While we were gone, our family was extremely helpful in taking care of little things for us. My mother-in-law kept Crazy Dog, also known as Madi. She and her husband are the only ones Madi can stay with because she is… well, crazy. Caring for this “special” dog is not an easy task, especially when my in-laws already have so much on their plates. My dad was enormous help, too. He took care of my baby schnauzer, Riley, and he got our mail and watered the garden. If we didn’t have the loving support and kindness of our families, our dogs would have been miserable in a kennel all week and our garden would surely have withered.

I also can’t help but mention the fabulous time we had at Folly Beach this year. Despite the tiny little place where we stayed, full of those lovely low-country creatures we call Palmetto Bugs (which, in actuality, are huge cockroaches), we enjoyed our time with our “second family.” With our group of close friends, I think we could have fun just about anywhere…so this jungle-surrounded, basement-esque home was no match for our spirits. Our days were spent lazily on the beach; our evenings full of delicious seafood dinners and cards.

Returning home from the beach is never pleasant, but I did miss home. I also returned to a lovely surprise from my husband and his dad. For my birthday, they ordered a new dining room table for our currently empty dining room. Scheduled for delivery tomorrow, it will be here just in time to host a baby shower for my brother-in-law and his wife, who are expecting twin boys in August. I need to get busy on that to-do list….

Superior Customer Service

Although it's quite early according to my teacher's summer watch, I couldn't sleep. I've been up since 4:00 making mental to-do lists to get ready for vacation. Finally, around 5:20, I gave up trying to count sheep and lugged myself to the couch where I watched Julie & Julia. This movie obviously inspired me to get off the couch, cook breakfast, and write.

Last week, my search for kindness was chaotic yet simple. Monday morning, I had several appointments early and rushed around to get to them on time. In between appointments, I made a quick stop at the grocery store for the week's necessities. I used the self-check because, for some odd reason, it made me feel more efficient. After scanning and bagging my items, it was time to pay. Debit card is missing! Sheer panic sets in as I start to imagine some thief with my money running off to Mexico. (Teachers only get paid once in the summer, and our checks had just been deposited... we get two months of pay in one big lump sum... see where this is going...??? PANIC!)
I frantically searched my wallet, twice, and my purse, twice. Still no card. As calmly as possible, I write a check for my groceries and then race to my car to search there. No card. Now, remember, this in between appointments, and I have about 45 minutes to make it home, put groceries up, and get to the dentist. AND FIND MY DEBIT CARD! I turn our house upside down, and still... no card. At the last possible minute, I get in my car and head to the dentist, calling the bank on my way. The lady on the phone was not as helpful or compassionate as I really wanted her to be, but she told me to come in and fill out the paper work to cancel the card. Exactly what I'll do, after my dentist appointment...

Which was fabulous! I absolutely love my dentist's office. They are always on schedule, I never have to wait, and the people who work there are so friendly. My A+ on dental hygiene and their super service helped calmed my nerves about my bank account for a while.
When I left the dentist, I went to one my bank's branches to fill out the paper work to cancel the lost card and order a new one. The teller that helped me was amazing! I think all I really wanted at the time was someone to say, "Oh, bless your heart!" in a fantastic southern accent, to make me feel better about it... and she did. She filed my paper work and within 15 minutes, I was out the door and feeling relieved.

I don't think I could ever make it in a job like these, either a dental hygienist or a bank teller, dealing with adults all day. I do not have the patience or kindness to pleasantly work with grown ups (like me, who are all flustered about something when they come through the door). This is one of the reasons I chose to work with kids... I can be patient with them because they're little, but that's a different story for another day.

It takes a genuinely kind person to work with the public all day with a smile. Those ladies may not know it, but they gave me a sense of comfort I desperately needed that day.

On a lighter note, I later found my debit card when my husband and I climbed into the Jeep to go out for dinner. I saw it wedged between the passenger seat and the arm rest, but I left it there to shred later... without him knowing. I felt too stupid to admit I'd found it right there in the car. If you see him, don't tell him.