Can of Trash: Too Dang Busy

Last winter I helped my dad cover his trailer for the winter. To help I had to climb up the ladder about 12 feet, get on top of the trailer and even scoot carefully over to the edge while dad helped from below. This sounds easy enough, but you see, my dad is Deaf. So doing things like this with him when there is no visual communication can be a little…adventurous.

Much to my relief we were done in a matter of minutes! I didn’t fall through the roof or slip off the trailer. Success. “Whew! This could have been much worse.” I thought to myself as I turned around and started back toward the ladder. However, much to my dismay, the ladder was now five feet away from the trailer. My dad moved it when he was tying the cover down. Sheer panic. “NO!!!!!” Time stopped then everything turned into slow motion. In an instant the wind picked up, dark clouds rolled in, and thunder boomed. Children ran into their homes. I hurriedly scooted over to the sides of the trailer knowing that calling out for dad was futile. I waved and waved, “Dad, look up!” I waved and waved some more. Meanwhile, dad stood there admiring his knots, pleased that his project was nearly done. Luckily after 5 minutes or so he looked up, saw me and hurriedly put the ladder back in place.



I share this experience with you all, not to necessarily to give my dad a hard time, though that is a bonus. After thinking about this experience I realized there was a lesson in this for me. Just as my dad was busy finishing tying his knots and admiring his work I too get caught up in my own life and my own projects. When this happens I loose sight of others and I miss out on opportunities to enjoy my family and friends or to help strangers. Life is about relationships with others, not necessarily this weeks project.