Everyone Should Have a Stephen
Yesterday, was my last day in Minneapolis for a few months. (Uh…if you’re reading this and live in Minneapolis, please don’t rob my house. Besides there’s an alarm and everything.)
I took Stephen for breakfast at the Colossal Cafe - this yummy tiny restaurant on 42nd and Cedar. I had my favorite - the bacon, green onion, and cream cheese omelet. Stephen ordered a cinnamon roll that was basically as big as a toddler’s head. Technically, I guess Stephen took me. Because it turns out they didn’t take credit cards and I didn’t have any cash.
Stephen is taking care of my house for a few months and we were covering the details. As you might imagine, I had quite a list of things to do: water this, don’t water that. Dust this room, please mow the lawn and use a bag to catch the clippings. What can I say? Apparently I’m high maintenance.
The conversation turned to packing and Stephen asked me what was left. I told him just about *everything* was packed except my computer.
“Computer?” Stephen said. “You have a laptop?”
No, I confessed. I planned to drag my giant (and ancient) computer tower, plus the 25 lb. 17-inch monitor. Neither of which I had room for in the car, but what could I do? I didn’t have time to go buy a new computer before taking off for California. Buying a computer isn’t something you just “DO” quickly.
“Why not?” Stephen asked calmly.
Because…because…well, because…
“Finish your omelet.” he said. “Let’s go shopping.”
This is one of Stephen’s marvelous qualities. When I sputter and stutter, Stephen says, “let’s go.” He reminds me that a person (well, me) can make decisions and move on something quickly. I don’t have to spend 30 months debating the pros and cons. Sometimes jumping in is simply the way to go.
An hour+ later, we were driving back to my house in Stephen’s convertible. Stephen helped me buy a computer: he clarified what I needed and wanted, helped find me the software I needed, asked me (and the Best Buy guys) the right questions…it was awesome.
And then when we got home, he started doing my remaining housecleaning chores so I could load the software and get all my old files onto my new laptop. Stephen washed and dried the dishes, vacuumed the entire downstairs of the house, watered the outside plants…
To recap:* Watching my house for 4 months
* Bought me breakfast
* Helped me buy a great computer - lovingly edged me into the ACTION oriented mode I needed
* Cleaned my house so that I could leave at a reasonable time on Sunday.
And this was one day’s generosity by 1 p.m.
Just before he left, Stephen turned to me and said, “Is there anything else I can do?”
September 11th, 2007 at 7:05 am
WOW! I’m slowing seeing who I am through my friends eyes. What I deem as simple acts of kindness, are in turn enormous gifts to people. You said to be just before I left, both of us tearing up, “I’ve never had a friend like you.” I’ve never had a friend like you either. Wise, funny, intelligent, warm hearted, sparkling……I don’t know who said it but this holds true for two of my relationships now I think, “Once you let something so and it never comes back, you didn’t have it in the first place.” I take comfort knowing that you’ll be back. I love you!