I appear to have been caught in a circle of gratitude with our over-the-road neighbour, Heather.
She asked me to paint a mug for her gran’s 100th birthday, being very polite and apologetic because it was very short notice. I couldn’t turn her down, not least because she is so very lovely and bought me alcohol last time I babysat for her son (after all, I’m not quite old enough to buy my own yet). So, did the mug, got it to her just before she and her family left for Ireland to celebrate the birthday.
Her husband, Dave (my dad’s best kiting buddy), paid twice what I usually charge for them and then spent the 25 minutes we were there “hinting” that he’d love one, and it was his birthday soon.
While they were away, I did him a mug – he did pay me for two!
They get back, dad takes over the mug and a birthday card, Dave is pleased (and christens his mug with some beer).
Yesterday, after getting back from a trip to Swindon with the Youth Theatre, Heather comes over to watch Mamma Mia with us - living with two guys she hasn’t been able to see it yet, and we’re all about spreading the musical love. She brought with her a card and a little gift bag which she handed to me, saying it was a thank you for doing her gran’s mug at such short notice, and for Dave’s.
In the bag was a jewellers’ gift box, containing a silver chain with the prettiest little ‘floating heart’ type pendant I have ever seen. I don’t know how to thank her for it, especially as this looks like turning into an eternal circle of gratitude, which could lead our descendants to still be saying thank you to one another four generations on. Hopefully babysitting again this week will make up for it.
