One by one, all of my appliances have stopped working.
Dishwasher, dryer and washing machine all dead. The dryer died in the late summer really, and it was easier to wash and dry everything all at once. But there were things i'd wash here for quick wash and line-dry, and when the washing machine stopped draining, it was a problem.
Then, right before Christmas we had all kinds of electrical issues in the house. Flickering lights, burning smells, absolute chaos. We had an electrician come in and tackle those issues and at that time the dishwasher shorted out.
So for weeks I've been pondering getting things fixed or replaced... and just didn't have the mental energy to do anything. This week I'd had enough of washing sinkload after sinkload of dishes, and feeling like the sink was never going to be empty... of not having anything clean to wear when I wanted to wear it ... and not wanting to schelp to the laundromat at 7pm when they close at 8.
Repairmen are at my house right now, repairing. Very thankful that I called Tuesday and they're here today as there were parts they needed to order.
There are three of them. One is out picking up a part for the dishwasher that they didn't have. The other two are working as a team. One of the team guys has Aspergers. And immediately, because I can "tell" when someone is a little different, I know how to talk to him, how to address him, and how to make him feel a little more comfortable.
His name is Zach, and he's very nice, a little shy, but he loved that I warned him about the steepness of the basement stairs and apologized for the messy house.
He and I had to go down to the electrical panel in the basement and nothing is labeled (kicking myself for not doing that when the electricians were here in December). We had fun turning things on and off and wondering whether or not the kitchen was covered... and the other team member yelled down saying it was all set... we hi-fived.
It's funny because I always wonder what my son is going to do with his life, how he will interact with people either in the work place or at college or in the military or whatever. I find that when people are kind to him, his responses are always more immediate and wonderful and friendly. It takes a little while to get past the weird exterior, and I felt that instantly with this repair man... but right now you'd think we were lifelong friends.
It's not hard to be kind. and I hope people know that when my son goes out into the world to meet them.
I think you think it's not hard to be kind because you practice kindness constantly and you are naturally kind, you are hard-wired for kindness and patience, it's your nature. I see people being much kinder and understanding when I'm in Florida, old people are slow and people have lower expectations and more time and smile and help more. New England is different, we move at high speed up here and smile infrequently. I personally find being kind incredibly difficult. I have to work hard at it and fail more than I succeed.
ReplyDeletemy son is that way and we always try to point out to him that the golden rule is for reals, yo. we call it "working on your empathy gene" when we tell him to be kind. someday it'll sink in for him.
ReplyDeletei think YOU are exceptionally kind. to me at least. and i feel i may never thank you enough. over the last 20 years you've been aces, babe.