NANA'S HELPER

          When I wrote the post about Haley, there was one thing I mean to include. She sent me a text after the event saying, “Thank you for coming out today to support me! I’m really glad you got to be there for this. I love youuuuu and I bet Pa was right next to us there too.” The text was followed by an emoji with a halo, a big heart and a graduation cap.

          Her text warmed my heart as well as brought tears to my eyes. To know she thought of her Pa either before, during or after the event was delightful to know. It also made me miss him more than usual because I’m sure he would have been there. I know it would have been difficult for him, but we could have driven him to the site and he could have rested on a chair. It makes me sad to think of all the wonderful events he’s going to miss this year and in the coming years. I can certainly see why people like to think of their loved ones in heaven looking down.

          Today, (Thursday) she came over after school and we spent two hours in the garage sorting through Pa’s stuff. We now have more piles of stuff for her dad and  uncle to go through. More piles of screw drivers, hammers, drill bits, files, saw blades, staples and staple gun, more socket sets and another container of metal for recycling. There’s another box that has stuff Thor may or may not want.

          We got through the metal filing cabinet with the big drawers and moved on to the big red tool chest. There wasn’t a lot of room, so Haley squeezed in there and began going through the drawers. I was the runner, taking whatever she found and putting it on the appropriate pile. I believe I added over 2000 steps to my day’s total just doing that. At one point, I did hear her say, “Oh Pa,” and heave a little bit of a sigh because she was saddened at her Pa’s inability to be disciplined. I believe Haley is like her dad and me…she likes stuff, especially her tools, organized.

          We didn’t finish the red tool chest before she had to leave to meet her friend. We did talk about what’s next. Haley plans to come every Wednesday to help Nana sort through Pa’s stuff. And, Nana is most grateful for this wonderful young woman’s assistance. I love her enthusiasm about some of the stuff we’re finding, as well as her ability to say, “garbage,” whereas her Nana might just want to add it to another pile.

          We work well together, Ms. Haley and her Nana…yes, we do indeed.