Have you ever had one of those moments when the world is going so fast, cars honking at you as they cut you off, person infront of you doesn't hold the door & then it all comes to a screaching halt when one person makes that extra effort? Well, when we moved to Colorado we were completely shocked at how nice everyone was. The grocery clerk would hold up the line just to talk to you & nobody in line seemed to care. Cars on the mountain passes would pull off to the side to let the faster drivers pass them. Everyone held the door for others. After almost two years, this has just become the norm so when I had one of those 'screaching' moments even among all this amazing kindness I was left speechless (and for those of you who know me well know that speechless isn't part of my vocabulary!!)
Searching craigslist one night for a "deal" on aged manure for the garden, I came across an ad from someone living in my town offering FREE manure. I like free:) So, I emailed to request some of the manure. That was how I met Julie & Bill Daigle. Thank you craigslist!! Julie had posted the ad and was more than happy to let me come and get some of the manure. After one trip with my pickup truck & a pinched nerve in my back I realized that shoveling wasn't going to be a reality for me (a decision that my husband was very greatful for!) So, I started looking to rent a small bobcat or tractor. When I approached Julie, explained what I needed the manure for, how much I needed, and requested that I bring in a bobcat the true gift began. First she offered to use her tractor to load our trucks. Wow I thought. Then, she offered to fill her very large dump trailer & help haul the manure to the garden area for us. Wow and thank you. Then, Bill & his son joined us one Sunday afternoon to take "a few loads". Two pickup trucks & their dump trailer headed to the land where the garden is being built. It had been raining off and on for the past two weeks so the land was more than just wet! The trucks made it across without difficulty but the large pickup truck pulling a full dump trailer was stuck right at the entry area. After help from a neighbor with a tractor, the truck was freed & we continued across the land. After many minor 'stuck' moments the trailer & trucks were empty. Bill went to pull out & realized that the land in the back was softer yet and decised to unhook the trailer. As he tried to pull away the truck become more than just stuck....the front bumper was sitting on the ground! This would have been a great picture for some 4x4 magazine! I drove Bill, his son, & their two dogs home and I still smile thinking of the conversation that must have occured when he got home and had to describe the events that led to him not having the truck or the trailer! The next morning Julie calls to get the address to pull out her truck. After all that, she said, "So are you coming to get some more next weekend?" REALLY?!! Many Saturdays and probably around 40 cubic yards of manure later we were ready to start getting the land ready. In true fashion, Bill offered to come over with his tractor & tiller to help out. He was already tilling and scraping when I got there at 9am. In the afternoon Julie came over to help too, moving the remainder or the manure & tilling it into the freshly tilled ground. It was around 4pm when they left the garden that day. They scraped, tilled, moved cinder blocks, raked & other numerous things. By now, thank you just doesn't seem enough. I am past the point of appreciation & into the realm of completely inspired. Who gives of themselves, their time, their talent in such a way to help others? Who helps this much to a group that they do not already have membership or connection to? Julie & Bill Daigle.
So, whose life did you touch today? Did your actions inspire anyone? Don't let the world fog your eyes to the point where you can't see the amazing giving nature of others. I am inspired & hope that I can someday pay this forward!