Steve and I are a great team.

We work together

We play together

We celebrate one another’s victories and share each other’s sorrows

When there is a project in the works, we do not often ask for help.

There are family members who will absolutely step up for a helping hand if necessary.

There are many we could ask……lots of friends are willing, but mostly, we just figure it out, just the two of us.

This weekend we have been tying up loose ends and finishing up a big project before Steve has shoulder surgery on Monday morning.

He wanted to finish up a building project we have been working on for a couple of weeks.

It has been many hours of sanding and staining. Measuring and remeasuring. Bracing and preparing for the heavy work.

Now this wood might not look like much, but add about 20 other pieces just like this and some huge beams to the mix and you have some heavy heavy pieces of wood.

This morning I was privileged to attend the Interfaith Emergency Services Volunteer Appreciation breakfast.

Steve stayed home and worked on staining the final boards so that when I returned home, we could build.

As I left the event, my sweet friend said “I brought clothes to come help you and Steve today.”

I thought to myself………did I ask her to help and didn’t remember?”

I responded “well I’m not sure what Steve has finished but come on over and if there’s nothing for you to do, you can go on with your day.

Who really wants to do manual labor on their Saturday?”

We change our clothes.

We head outside.

“Steve, Diane came help! Is there anything she can do?”

I expect him to say, “no, we’ve got it.” Instead he says, “Great!”

We finished staining boards, we carried boards, we strategically placed ladders and got to work.

Here’s just a sneak peek of the boards we were dealing with.

As we perched on ladders waiting for Steve to hand us boards, we chatted.

We have mutual friends and kids and grandkids. We attend church together, we have many things to chat about during our wait.

I thanked her for being there.

And this is what she said.

“One night at book club I remembered you saying how hard it is to accept help from others in a general sense, even when people say “call me!” And unless someone showed up with their work clothes on, ready to work, there wouldn’t be an ask.”

So this girl.

My friend.

Showed up, on a Saturday, with her work clothes on.

So many other things she could have done on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. But she showed up for us.

This post is not about getting things done, but the people that stand beside you as you do it.

It’s about the people who are listening, while you think you are rambling.

Make sure to pay attention to the people you are surrounded with.

Make sure to listen.