I was helping a buddy move the other day and he was very surprised that I showed up to help him. I was surprised too. It has long been my policy to hire movers when I move. I have a saying; “I pay good money to movers so that I never have to help anybody else move.” the thought of owing somebody that favor in return for their help just bothers me. I don’t like the obligation. I guess its because I take those obligatory favors so seriously. I think I also had a bit of guilt from being injured recently and not being physically able to help another friend move that really needed the help. Anyways, I did it. It was a big cross country move for him and he was sporting 2 kids and an 8 month pregnant wife. I figured he spent enough money and would appreciate the hand. While we were moving all his stuff he says to me that nobody else even showed up. Not even people that he had known his whole life that he considered his best friends. I said to him “Life is like a party at your house. You never know who is going to show up. It’s usually the people that you don’t expect to show that do, and you will be surprised to see who stays until the very end and helps you clean up.” I’ve noticed over the years I know certain people that show up empty handed and leave the biggest mess behind. Their own mess. They leave their beers, caps, and empty cups scattered around the my house like its a full service hotel. Party or not. I’ve even lectured some of them on the gesture of not showing up empty handed. Only to watch them take their beer back home with them when the leave. Not that I care or need anything, but Indian giving? Do I really have to explain that? They aren’t bad people or even bad friends most of the time. It just is what it is. We just have to accept some people for who they are. Do our best not to put people on a pedestal. Take the time to notice who rises to the occasions. Most importantly, enjoy the party while it lasts.
