The Egg

 I never would have thought  a boiled egg (or any egg for that matter) could have such a profound effect on me but one has given me a great insight on just how nice folks are.  (Note here...I said folks and not people.  Folks are those who are family even if they are not related to you.  People...well...people can be related and still not be family.  Just my point of view.)  Anyway, back to that boiled egg and the niceties of life.  Mark and I have always made it a point to share whatever we have.  This was something taught to us by our parents and grandparents and we have carried it along the best that we can.  There have been times when our pantry was quite bare but, somehow, sharing was still top priority.  Mostly we shared with the elderly or those that were down on their luck.  Now that we are among the "elderly" we figure that our duties shall not go the wayside.  We still find those in need and share our "wealth".  It is the neighborly thing to do.  I figure that you cannot gripe about the sorry state of humanity if you are not willing to do your share to better it.

  That egg, however came about because of that sharing.  One sweet lady always finds a way to return the bounty.  Whenever we bring something to her, she sends something home to us.  Since she has chickens, we usually get fresh yard eggs!  There is nothing better!  Today as I was whipping up some pumpkin/pecan bars for Son, I brought out the eggs.  All was going well until the third egg.  It felt a mite odd to the touch and even odder to crack.  Yep, that egg was boiled!  Our sweet friend had inadvertently included a boiled egg with the fresh!  I had to sit down and giggle over that boiled egg!  Oh, sweet lady, I adore you!  When giving the eggs, she was surely not going to give a partial carton!  That, my friends, is what makes folks...well...folks.  They are just plumb nice.

  After finding the boiled egg among the fresh, I have decided that I want to be a "Ms. Teresa" when (if) I reach the age of 90.  I want to be kindhearted, generous and a bit quirky.  I want to give folks happy surprises along with every day gifts.  I want to brighten others days and give them reasons to giggle.  I want to be a "Ms. Teresa". 

Just do it

   After Hurricane Zeta hit us with full force, we had more work than we could shake a stick at.  It was overwhelming especially since I was still recovering from the stroke and heart problems.  I was told to "take it easy", "do not overwork" and "let others help".  Well, that is all fine and dandy except, there was no time to take it easy and was virtually impossible not to overwork.  That part about "let others help"...well, no one did.  Son and I had to do it.  We struggled and are still neck deep in debris and repairs.  We will get there.  Today, however, was spent more in helping others.  Why?  Because that is what we do.  Bayou people help others. It is the neighborly thing to do.

  Several large trees were downed on my brother's place.  He is not in the physical condition to clean up the mess so, since Mark was home, he decided to cut the downed trees.  We would just clean up the place.  No problems.  Mark cut the huge tree and Son split the logs with the axe.  I tried to help load the smaller ones but, once again, am under orders not to do much.  While cutting, Mark had the idea that my other brother could use some of the firewood.  So...he cut, Son split and loaded wood for that brother.  After several hours, the place was cleared, the firewood was all cut, loaded, hauled and stacked and we were exhausted, yet again.  

 Folks, while we are an independent sort and will get our work done without the "let others help" crew that never shows, there are those who occasionally need a helping hand.  They do not ask.  They, too, try to fend for themselves.  This is where kindness and generosity come into play.  Just do it.  Do not wait to be asked.  Just do it.  Do not expect anything in return.  Just do it.