Side By Side

A past memory surfaced this week of when I worked in sales, specifically when I sold a home to Katherine.  Of all the sales and all the homes, Katherine stands out and for a good reason.

I stood by her side that bright autumn afternoon when Katherine’s singlewide manufactured home, with a few upgrades, rolled on to her moderate patch of land on a cul-de-sac close to the major interstate.  Katherine could not contain her excitement when the truckers turned the corner on to her street.  You see, this home was her first.  She saved to get it and her pride of ownership spilled on to me.  I still remember her words like it happened yesterday.  She expressed her feeling as “blessed beyond her dreams.”  She couldn’t wait to move in and decorate her humble home and make it her own.  Katherine told me she wanted to do something for me.  She wanted to reward me for all the hard work to make her dream come true.

“It’s really not necessary, Katherine.  But if you’re in the neighborhood sometime, drop off a pizza.  We’ll have lunch,” I said.

I forgot about the pizza but I will never forget Katherine’s visit to our office a few weeks later and the way she proudly carried in a hot pizza for our office staff like a maitre de wearing white gloves in a fancy restaurant.

I think back of customers who ordered large, fancy homes through our office and complained endlessly about everything.   Modest Katherine displayed thankfulness for the simple things in life.  Her countenance beamed with light and joy.  She radiated patience and understanding when things did not go her way in the process.

I told this story to my friend, Judy, just a few days ago.  She’s a realtor and tears swelled in her eyes at the thought of Katherine’s response.  Judy sold me her two-year-old white side by side refrigerator for a great price.  She moved and changed out her appliances to stainless steel.  I had to drive to Phoenix to pick it up but for the price, it was worth it.  I have been living with a 27 year old side by side that still works minus a few drawers that do not slide and shelves that have seen better days. Not to mention, my old unit’s almond color doesn’t match my cabinets that I painted white a few years ago! 

As Judy and I stood side by side gabbing in her back alley while the guys loaded the pick up, I told her I feel like Katherine.  I wanted my thankfulness to spill on to her because I no longer had to live with my old, dilapidated fridge.  She made it possible for me to have something stylish and matching in my kitchen.

Judy is all about matching and style.  She understood.

As for me, I hope I never forget Katherine’s example to be thankful for the simple pleasures that come to my life.