Humbled

So tonight I had one of those experiences that really puts you in your place.

If you've read my post from earlier in the week, you know that we came home on Sunday to our front gutter hanging from one corner of the house. Over the course of the week, we've had different contractors coming out to give us estimates. Last night, one of the contractors was supposed to be sending someone out at 7:00 to take a look-see and give us a quote. Around 6:20, we got a phone call from them saying the person they had planned to send had gotten tied up at another customer's house, so they were calling someone else who had the day off and asking him to come out. They told us he'd be out around 7:40. I wasn't happy, but they were very apologetic, and what could we do? About 10 minutes later, they called back to say he wasn't going to be able to make it, so they rescheduled to tonight - 6:00.

So tonight, 6:00 comes and goes. 6:15, then 6:30, then 6:45, and no sign of anyone, and no phone call. At this point, I'm pissed and I tell Dennis that when the guy arrives, I'm going to send him on his way because at this point, what is this telling me about this company's reliability? Then, at 6:53, there's a knock at the back door. Dennis answers, and I hear him mention to the guy that he was supposed to be here at 6:00. The guy responds that they told him 7:00, which I believe is probably true, since our appointment last night was for 7:00. They spoke briefly in the doorway before heading outside.

When they came back in the house, I met them in the kitchen with Matthew (asleep with his head on my shoulder - having slept through his dinner time), and we went to sit down in the dining room. The contractor commented how cute Matthew was, and after hearing that he was 1, mentioned that his own son is now 38 years old. So, we sit at the table, and he proceeds to show us the gutter system and work up his estimate, chatting with us the whole time. We talked about the weather, talked about his son and 1 year old granddaughter in Georgia, talked about being Irish and Sicilian. As we talked, I felt just like the Grinch. I felt like my heart grew three sizes while we were sitting there. I went from being pissed off at this guy to feeling so very sad. Sad that here I was, home from work on a Friday evening, ready to enjoy dinner with my husband and son, and here was this man, who I'd guess was in his early to mid 60's, sitting at my dining room table trying to make a living, when I'm sure he'd much rather have been home with his family.

When he left, I just started to cry. Sometimes things just seem so unfair. Now, I don't know this man's circumstances. For all I know, he loves what he does. But to me, it just doesn't seem right that he has to be out in the cold on a Friday night working up a quote for me while I'm inside, done with work for the week, waiting to enjoy the weekend with my family. I can only hope that we impressed upon him how much we appreciated his efforts. That's one of the things I love the most about my husband - he never feels that he's better than anyone else, never lets anyone feel their job is any less valuable, and always shows honest respect for hard work.

You know how the saying goes - "There but for the grace of God." There was a reason all this happened tonight. I've been letting petty bull$hit get to me lately, and this was just the dose of perspective I needed.

Take Me Back Tuesday

Date taken: January 11, 2003

Location: Provincetown, MA

Dennis and I had taken a weekend trip to the Cape, and he took me on a lighthouse tour. This is one of my favorite pictures from that weekend. We were just leaving P-town, and pulled off the road to watch the sun set. I just love the color of the sand, with the last light of the day reflecting on it. Nothing man-made could be this beautiful.

Up in the North Country

We spent this past weekend visiting Dennis' sister Debbie and her husband, Brendan, up in Saranac Lake, in the Adirondacks. We had a great weekend - we really love it up there, and Debbie and Brendan have a cozy place that feels just like a second home.

Matthew had a very fun time, and especially loved chasing their kitties around the house, yelling at the top of his lungs. They were too quick for him this time, but once he's walking, I think he's gonna give them a run for their money.

We took tons of pictures, so I thought I'd share some of our favorites.

Take special note of the bottom left picture in this one....there are two people climbing up high on the ice. Holy cow!!

We left on Sunday morning, and took a leisurely trip back home. We made a few stops along the way, and finally landed home just before 5:00. As we were just turning onto our road, here's what we saw.....

Ummm.....yeaaahhhh.....isn't the gutter supposed to follow the roof line???? Nice, huh?

Welcome home! Anyone know a good gutter guy??

Take Me Back Tuesday

OK, so here's this week's picture....

Many of you will recognize this as my absolute favorite lighthouse, Cape Neddick Light, a.k.a. Nubble Light, in York Beach, Maine.

I used to drive up to York Beach by myself in the winter and stay in a hotel on Long Sands Beach. I used to sit out on the rocks by the ocean, and I could see Nubble Light from there, but at quite a distance. I tried to find it once, but for some reason just couldn't seem to get there.

So, back to the picture. It was taken on Saturday, February 15, 2003. Dennis had surprised me with a weekend getaway for our first Valentine's Day. As we drove along Long Sands Beach on Valentine's evening, I pointed out Nubble Light, and mentioned I'd never seen it up close. He took a couple of turns here and there, and we came around a turn to the most amazing sight ever. There was the lighthouse, right there in front of us, and although it was already dark outside, it was beautifully illuminated by the snow on the ground. This picture was taken the following morning, when we went to see it in the light of day. It was almost as beautiful.

We've made many, many trips back there since, but none can top that first night in the snow. In retrospect, it's amazing that I was never able to find it on my own - it's ridiculously easy to get there from Long Sands. Guess I was meant to see it for the first time exactly the way I did.

Thanks for the great memory, babe.

Flash forward....and back

Tonight I got a glimpse into what Matthew's school years will be like. I was in the kitchen making dinner, and I could hear him playing with some toys in the living room. Every so often, I peeked in just to make sure he was OK. I could hear him playing the same song over and over again on this "CD player" we got him for his birthday. He waits until the song is over, and then pushes the same button for it to play all over again. This didn't surprise me, as he's done this for the longest time, with many of his musical toys.

What did surprise me tonight, though, was when I peeked in on him and saw this....

He was sitting on the floor "reading" one of his books, and playing the music over and over again at the same time. I could just see him as a teenager, studying in his room with music blaring. He's clearly taking after Dennis in this area. I was always amazed when Dennis was in law school or studying for the bar that he could study (and crazy hard stuff, mind you!) with the TV on or music playing. I never had that ability - I always needed quiet, focused study time. The only exception was classical music, which my high school physics teacher, Mr. Bloom, always played during our exams. He would tell us how music helps open up your brain and let you get at information more easily. I could never make it work with any other music, though; probably because I'd get distracted and start to sing along in my head.

Anyway, it was a crazy flash forward to the years to come, and it made me excited and sad at the same time.

Oh, and the flash back? Yeah, that was last night. He was having a cup of milk before going to bed, and I actually heard myself say to him - "Matthew, don't swill your milk." Funny how all those things your mother said to you as a child find their way into your vocabulary as an adult.

Life is good, isn't it?