Here's my true story that took place yesterday afternoon. I had just pulled some cake and cupcakes from the oven just a couple of minutes before I heard the garbage truck pulling up to our drive. It was terribly cold and snowing at the time- and I looked out the window and felt "guilty" that I was inside baking and enjoying my girls help in the kitchen, while this garbage man had to drive in the cold and snow and do such a thankless job.Next thing you know, I grabbed my scarf (I was already wearing the hat) and a cupcake, I slipped on Chip's shoes that were sitting by the door, and I ran out in the blowing 6-8 inches of snow- I had to run across the culdesac and waved to the garbage man so he wouldn't drive over me with his truck. He pulled up next to me and opened the window.
"Hey!", I yelled up to him, "I just baked cupcakes, and even though they're not frosted yet, I thought you might like a warm snack."
You should have seen the grin on his face. He probably thought I was crazy, but he said, "Thanks a lot. I'd really like that." To which I added, "Thanks to you and all your hard work." Then I waved and turned to run back through the snow-covered road, up the drive to my front door.
Two of my girls were waiting for me. They said, "Where did you take that cupcake?". I said, "the garbage man always does such a good job and nobody hardly ever brings him treats, so I gave him one of our cupcakes." Bella said, "Ooo...that was a great idea!".
Anyway, it was a small gesture on my part, but I hope the thought behind it made our garbage man feel just a tad bit appreciated. I guess it really was "Nice-mas" at our house yesterday.
And that other pic? That's Brock with the cake we ate for Rachael's birthday. I heard it was a good day for her, and thanks for all the great advice and thoughtful comments for her.
Now I'm off to go tidy the living room. Seems that "Nicemas" is only a one-day holiday. Today has been "Crabby-mas" and "Make a Mess-mas". What can I say? There's a blizzard outside here in Michigan and Chip is away for the day.
Time to brew some decaf Starbuck's and flip on a movie for the kids.
14 comments:
Hey, Can you believe this crazy weather?? And people are actually going out in this stuff.
Have a good night, stay warm...
Hillary.
I love your story about giving a cupcake to the garbage man. It's absolutely heart-warming. I know your children will remember that story forever. Growing up, my mom always told us to treat everyone who shows up on our doorstep (or cul de sac) like they are Christ in disguise. Well done, Jody.
You are probably the nicest most kind hearted person out there. Not many people in todays society would go out of their way to says thanks to a garbage man. You are truely an inspiration!! Thank You
I've said it before, when I sent you that long ramble-y stalker- esqe email, but I really think you and your ways ROCK...
What a sweet gesture, so many times we try to avoid the man who carries our trash and the like and I bet you just made his day :)
Love your recent photos :)
Thanks for the Nicemas stories :)
I love reading your blog!! And this post is such a heartwarming story...I wish I was home when our garbagemen came...I would do the same thing! But alas, I am always at work!
You take such fun photos...I love them!!
HUGS and have a gret evening!
i LOVE that you taught your kids that great lesson. it is so important to treat the people that do the dirty work in our lives with respect and let them know that they are appreciated.
i taught my kid to thank the people that clean the bathrooms (if they are in there) at whatever store we are in for doing there job so that we can have a clean place to sit and do our business. :)
it's important for those people to know that there job REALLY matters. i think that people totally take that for granted.
thanks for sharing. :)
what a nice gesture.......i have a friend who bakes cookies every year for her garbage people......she leaves them in a box on top of the garbage can with a sign that they won't throw them away......today's message at church was about blessings and making sure others feel blessed by you...us...so, i know you made him feel blessed by giving him the cupcake but also by giving him the "thanks for what you do" message......that's a blessing in itself....
i have a neighbor who has a heart of gold; she is always giving our public servants- (mailman, sanitation engineer :0), or anyone working in the neighborhood around her house hot chocolate on a cold day, or a cold drink on a hot day, and also includes goddies of one type or another.
she is a great example of compassion for all of us..
like you jody***
those special small gerstures that make all the difference in the world to a person...
there seems to be a high correlation between women who scrapbook and women who love cupcakes. it cracks me up. i don't totally get it. but i think it is funny and totally appreciate it!
i found silacon cupcake liners today! sending this link to you and elsie on her blog! :)
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku8420804/index.cfm?pkey=cNEWCKGI&cm%5Fsrc=None&flash=on&cmrf=http%3A//www.outblush.com/
oh, and this story is fabulous. i often ask delievery people/etc. if they need something to drink . . . and they don't take me up on it! i love that this guy let you give him a little TLC and thanks for his hard work. very very cool!
So thoughtful you are!!I have to ask...why were you already wearing the hat?
You are such a special lady! You probably made his day.
I love doing stuff like this too, not only does it make them feel great it makes you feel great too. We have an awesome trash man . . . he has even came into our garage and taken our trash when we had the garage door up and forgot to put the trash out!!! Now how many guys would do that? We live in a small town, I am sure you would never see that in a bigger city!!!
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