I Am Thankful for Being a Meddlesome Old Lady

Okay!  I will admit it.  I can be a meddlesome old lady.  Yesterday was one of my better days as such.  And, to be really honest, I did not go it alone.  I created a conspiracy to help me.  So, here’s the story.

Yesterday, I told you about Marcus.  So, let me just say that this child has captured my heart.  Anyway, after I wrote yesterday’s post, I had Marcus on my mind.  He still didn’t have his “school stuff.”  At least he didn’t have new school stuff.  Now, I know kids don’t have to have brand new stuff every year, but… 

I went down to the kid’s house to talk to his mother.  What a surprise!  Both his parents were at home, sitting around the kitchen table with a stack of bills between them, drinking coffee.  They offered me a cup and a seat.  I obliged.

Here’s the story.  The father has been laid off for almost two months.  The mother just lost her job as a housekeeper because her employer is filing a bankruptcy.  And, there are three kids at home — a total of five mouths to feed.  So, there is unemployment for the dad.  That’s something, but not enough, especially since the second income is now gone. 

I felt rather silly asking if Marcus could do a little yard work to earn enough for his back pack.  Anyway, it took all day but there is now a plan!

First of all, Marcus and his older sister will get off the school bus at my house.  Even if I am not at home when the bus arrives, some of the older kids will be there gathering up the younger ones for the after school session in the cabin.  We have a little system that started last year.  The older kids help the younger ones with their homework and do a little tutoring for those who most need it.  The adults then help the older kids with their work, or at least supervise.  We really try to take them outside the homework thing and make them think.  Learning is so much more than repeating facts.  Of course, those kids who go to the private schools usually don’t get home until around 5:00 or 6:00 because they have after school stuff that includes doing homework and getting added tutoring.

That takes care of the two older children.  The younger one can go back to daycare when the mom can get back on her feet.  So, while we were thinking about a job for the mom, the light bulb came on in our heads.  Maybe, this isn’t the ideal situation but it may be workable. 

Jasmine, Marcus’ mother, is going to do day work for Mrs. Hildebrand and Miss Bessie — for the time being — and she can take the young one with her.  That saves on daycare.  It also makes lots of us feel better about the senior, senior citizens — having someone in the house with them to help with the cleaning, etc. 

John, the dad, is going to work — sorta — for a neighbor down the street who owns a large plumbing company.  Here’s the deal.  John volunteers for a month.  That’s it — John volunteers, no pay.  If John shows that he can do the job, the owner will pay to get him “certified” — whatever that means and however long that takes — and guarantee John a permanent job.  So, while the setup may not be perfect for right now, it is a start.

And, Marcus and his older sister will do some yard work around our house and the next door neighbor’s houses to earn enough money for their back packs and maybe some new school clothes.  Okay, so here’s the truth.  Happy and I took the kids shopping last night and got them the back packs, some shoes and a couple of new changes of clothes.  But, they will still do the yard work to pay us back.  And, they will! 

Perhaps, the best part is that Marcus and sister will be put into a good after school environment — no more freedom to wander around the neighborhood until the parents get home. 

So, Happy, Miranda, and a whole lot of neighbors got together to make this little plan.  And, maybe it won’t get the Johnson’s back on their feet immediately.  There will be challenges.  But, it is a start.  And, John came up to the house last night an repaired a toilet in the cabin while Jasmine helped us put up corn.  She also picked enough fresh vegetables to get them through the week.

Look folks, we aren’t rich people.  We are for the most part fairly comfortable.  But, we have all learned that sharing what we can will come back to us a thousand times over.  And, to be honest giving a kid a chance he may not otherwise have is a better gift for me than it will be for him.  I am selfish that way.  But, today I am thankful for being a meddlesome old lady and having a bunch of willing co-conspirators who don’t mind meddling a little bit, too.

Tagged as: Gratitude, Gratitude Journal, Meddlesome