When I was in high school I worked a few summers with my friend at her parent’s service station. Our job was to wash the dirty windows, check the oil and fill up the tank with gas or diesel—and smile. I can’t quit thinking about the service that friends have given to us in the last week or so . . . with a smile:
~A friend hand delivered a plate of fudge.
~Several friends called to see if we needed any last minute help.
~Friends loaned us their suburban so that we could all ride together to pick up Ty from the airport.
~Friends invited us to Sunday dinner because they knew we would be tired from traveling to and from the wedding last week and preparing for a wedding reception here this week. They also sent us home with all of the leftovers (Dutch oven chicken, grilled steaks, potato salad, broccoli/bacon salad, pasta salad, baked beans, cobbler and German chocolate cake so we wouldn’t have to cook until after the reception).
~Grace’s friends decorated for the Utah reception, served at it, took the pictures and made the wedding cake, it was wonderful.
~A dozen friends made fancy cakes or cookies and displayed them on pedestal cake plates for the center of the tables at Abe and Grace’s dinner in Washington. They were beautiful and good.
~Friends invited us to Sunday dinner because they knew we would be tired from traveling to and from the wedding last week and preparing for a wedding reception here this week. They also sent us home with all of the leftovers (Dutch oven chicken, grilled steaks, potato salad, broccoli/bacon salad, pasta salad, baked beans, cobbler and German chocolate cake so we wouldn’t have to cook until after the reception).
~Grace’s friends decorated for the Utah reception, served at it, took the pictures and made the wedding cake, it was wonderful.
~A dozen friends made fancy cakes or cookies and displayed them on pedestal cake plates for the center of the tables at Abe and Grace’s dinner in Washington. They were beautiful and good.
~A friend loaned us the use of several cake plates.
~A friend made dozens and dozens of rolls for the Washington dinner.
~Several friends stayed behind to help us clean up after the Washington wedding reception when they realized our small, motley crew was only Calvin, Cali, Ande and me. They stayed until the last wire was down and the last dish was washed.
~One friend took all twenty two tablecloths home and washed and delivered them to our house by noon the next day. She and her kids also delivered and unloaded all of the wedding gifts.
~Several young friends volunteered their evening to come and serve the dinner and to help clean up, while another friend from work manned the kitchen.
~Friends gave of their time to come to Abe and Grace’s wedding and receptions; some driving or flying several hours. They also gave of their means in generous gifts.
~A friend helped us string hundreds of Christmas lights from the ceiling.
~A friend brought over four boxes of bakers—washed and ready to wrap—for the dinner in Utah and then two bags of freshly dug, new potatoes for the dinner in Washington.
~A friend gave us the use of his condominium, which is ½ block from the Salt Lake City temple, to stay in during Abe and Grace’s wedding—complete with a “Welcome” bag filled with grapes, strawberries, chocolate, baguette bread, sparkling cider and a gag gift.
~A friend played beautiful piano music during the Washington dinner and ate his dinner cold.
~A couple of friends called and offered spare bedrooms for guests.
~A friend helped Calvin grill 300 shish-kabobs.
~A friend made dozens and dozens of rolls for the Washington dinner.
~Several friends stayed behind to help us clean up after the Washington wedding reception when they realized our small, motley crew was only Calvin, Cali, Ande and me. They stayed until the last wire was down and the last dish was washed.
~One friend took all twenty two tablecloths home and washed and delivered them to our house by noon the next day. She and her kids also delivered and unloaded all of the wedding gifts.
~Several young friends volunteered their evening to come and serve the dinner and to help clean up, while another friend from work manned the kitchen.
~Friends gave of their time to come to Abe and Grace’s wedding and receptions; some driving or flying several hours. They also gave of their means in generous gifts.
~A friend helped us string hundreds of Christmas lights from the ceiling.
~A friend brought over four boxes of bakers—washed and ready to wrap—for the dinner in Utah and then two bags of freshly dug, new potatoes for the dinner in Washington.
~A friend gave us the use of his condominium, which is ½ block from the Salt Lake City temple, to stay in during Abe and Grace’s wedding—complete with a “Welcome” bag filled with grapes, strawberries, chocolate, baguette bread, sparkling cider and a gag gift.
~A friend played beautiful piano music during the Washington dinner and ate his dinner cold.
~A couple of friends called and offered spare bedrooms for guests.
~A friend helped Calvin grill 300 shish-kabobs.
Can you imagine all this done with a smile? (And I didn't even mention family contributions.) We are so humbled by it and can’t quit thinking about it. “If I had to sum up friendship in one word, it would be Comfort.” Adabella Radici
Could you have kept a smile while helping like that?
7 comments:
I love this post. To me it's always so humbling when friends show up and offer so much help. The feelings of love and gratitude that those acts of kindness generate are so overwhelming- they always stay with me for a long time. I still am touched when I think of all of the loving acts people showed us when my aunt Tami died, and that was over a year ago! I'm so glad that you have so many great loving friends!
its always so humbling to be on the receiving side- I loved reading all of the blessings that you received. I am sure after you posted you thought of many more things that made you smile.
This whole post made me smile and think of blessings we have received from others when we needed it.
Also made me think of how one small act that I could provide along with the many other small acts of others really could make a difference for someone.
What a great day...thanks for letting us be apart of it. I think Abe and Grace are 'cute' as them come!!! Remember 'Friends are like bras, close to your heart and there for support...' Love you guys!!!!
It speaks of the type of friend you are, Jane, that you have been blessed by so many of your own.
I could. not. stop. looking at the pictures of Abe and Grace. What a beautiful couple. Congratulations.
Jane - you just plain attract good people. I'm glad you had so much help - what a blessing!
You are such a great friend that when you need friends, they come out of the wood work. I am glad you had such great support. The "Washington" reception was first rate. I LOVED the center pieces! So unique! You look pretty in pink!
This is wonderful! Some of those things were smaller and some were bigger, but all of them are things that made your life easier at a busy busy time and helped you to feel loved. And all of them seem like things any of us could do! Many hands make light work, and being rescued like that is one of life's greatest blessings.
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