Mary Kay's back deck is a jungle. It extends into the trees surrounding their house on the hillside, but I didn't realize how many potted plants she had back there until I had to water them every day this week.
I am not complaining about the duty. We owe so much to Mary Kay and her husband Joe for everything they've done for us over the years, that I was grateful she gave me a job to do to help her while they went on a cruise. I'm just wondering how she has time to do it herself...she gets more accomplished in a twenty-four hour span than I think is humanly possible.
(Has she figured out how to clone herself? That must be it, and while she's on the cruise, I bet her clone is relaxing in Tuscany, sampling the food and exploring the shops.)
Watering her plants is a drop in the "pot" as far as repayment goes, but I'll jump on any chance I can get. Even though we live outside of town and a mile down a dirt road, they (and even some other friends) venture out here twice a day to take care of our dogs when we're gone, despite all the millions of other things (like watering plants) they have to do.
But that's minor compared to other things they've done for us. After Tom's head-on collision ten years ago, I called Joe to let him know I couldn't make it to the Boy Scout Committee meeting that night, and why. Realizing I must be in shock (my husband had almost died and I was worried about missing the meeting?), he drove to the hospital and stayed with me until Tom was in his room that night, making sure I made the right phone calls and asked the right questions.
I didn't go home until Tom was released a week later, so Mary Kay sent a care package of new clothes and toiletries. And when it was time for Tom to go home, Joe was there to help once again, emptying our room of a week's accumulation of cards and flowers, and getting Tom out of the wheelchair and into the car. This is something I hope I never have to repay.
I've given up trying to even the score, kind of like I've done with my parents. In fact, I think our friendship with Mary Kay and Joe is a direct response to my mother's prayers - she knew she wouldn't be only thirty minutes away anymore once we moved to Lago Vista.
So thank you, Mary Kay and Joe. Whatever we can do for you, let us know.
Saint Mary Kay with me, Cheryl, and Conni, above.
Saint Joe and Tom, below.