A friend of mine is going through a rough time. She's ill and at home and, because I'm allergic to animal hair and she has 2 dogs and a cat, I can't go over and rub her feet and make chicken soup.
This is a friend that I met on a contract 5 jobs ago. We've been friends ever since. She babysits for Muffin Man. He calls her "Auntie [Friend's Name]." She's family.
She was bemoaning the fact that she couldn't even clean the house and so...
I asked her permission to send over and pay for a cleaning service. At first she said, "No." I argued. She was adamant. I gave up.
A little later she called me back and said, "If you were sick, I'd be doing what I could to help you. What kind of a friendship do we have if I can't accept the same in return?"
So yesterday, her house was cleaned for her. And I still feel like it's a poor substitute for chicken soup.
Through My Glasses, Dorkily
13 years ago
17 comments:
What a lovely thing to do for your friend.
That was so thoughtful of you. I think part of being a good friend is not only giving help when needed, but accepting it when it's offered.
PS I've blogrolled you!
You are a very thoughtful friend. Good on you!
This is a great gift. You are kind and loving. Lucky old Mr. Spock and Muffin Man. Nice person.
I think it's a great idea. If I were feeling rotten, I'd take housecleaning over chicken soup anytime! Good call.
Yeah, I think that was a really sweet thing to do. And I'm proud of your friend. It's so hard to accept help when you need it!
Rub. Her. Feet?
Now, now, Mr. Spock.
You are the best friend ever!!! She's lucky to have you.
What a terrific act of friendship!
How thoughtful of you, and how gracious of your friend to accept after initially declining!
You are the best friend ever! I am definitely adopting you as my friend : )
And good for her for accepting such a great gift. Hope she feels better soon!
Awww, that's great. I will never forget when I was pregnant with my second child and had just weaned my first, and my 1-year-old got incrediby sick. So sick DH and I thought we were going to lose her.
She had a cold and a vomiting/diarrhea bug at the same time, and got so dehydrated we took her into the ER completely limp and lethargic. It took days before she was really responsive to anything going on around her.
My friend J (who lived 45 minutes away) called to ask if she could come over to help with anything--cleaning, grocery shopping, watching A so I could take a shower and nap, etc), and I turned her down because I didn't want to expose her to A's illness.
The next day there was a knock at the door and there was J. She said, "I knew if I called you'd tell me not to come, so here I am. What can I do to help?"
I treasure that memory as one of the best illustrations I've ever seen of true friendship.
But. Her... feet?
P_K, that's what I'm talking about. I'd have gone and done just that if it weren't for my stupid allergies (which trigger asthma.)
And yes, Mr. Spock, I know I'm not supposed to say "stupid".
And, okay, okay, I wouldn't rub her feet. Sheesh.
*Cough* Um....I think *I'm* getting sick! You wanna spring for a cleaning service for me? Dang! Knew that wouldn't work!
Okay, so I'm not sick, I'm just lazy as hell. That was a wonderful thing that you did for your friend, though. Most people would send flowers or a card, but trust you to know what she needed most, and to send it to her, even after she said you shouldn't. *That's* a good friend. No wonder she loves you so. No wonder *we* love you so!
((Hugs)) to you for being a great friend!
I must say I think having your friend's house cleaned for her is a WONDERFUL gift. Very sweet of you.
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