I’m sure the long version of this story would be quite interesting, what with the necessary foundation, explanation and extended variations and all. However, let’s just get to the nugget and say that we are very much looking forward to hosting four of our offspring and their families at our Wathena home this week. One of the traditional aspects of being good hosts is having places where your guests can sit.

Therefore I’m planning to haul a couple of love seats up to said house today. Which required some assistance. Fortunately, one of my colleagues was willing to provide said assistance. He also made a very helpful suggestion about arranging said love seats in the trailer I’m using. I figured lunch was mighty small gratitude to offer in exchange and he accepted. That’s when I found out he was getting his house ready for installing new laminate flooring.

Soon after lunch, we were ripping out the old carpet, taking up the old pad, removing the baseboard and tearing up the old tack strip. I’ll admit that for my own indulgent pleasure, taking up the carpet is more fun than removing all the staples that were used to install the pad. Within a couple of hours, we had the room pretty close to ready for the new flooring.

Neither one of us woke up that morning with the expectation of helping one another. Not all of our opportunities are planned out in advance. At least not on our part. But when we live with open hearts, willing to take what the day brings us and lend a helping hand, we will always find chances to give and receive. Chances to build and strengthen relationships by offering and by accepting. And in each case, help make the world a better place in the places where we live.

H. Arnett
11/21/17