The Little Things in Life

[Magicman]

I was in the grocery store this morning and spoke to a lady that I have known for any years.  I know that she is lonely because her husband died a couple of years ago.  Anytime that we meet, we exchange greetings and small talk.  As I turned to leave she said "thank you for speaking to me".   I then told her that I would go out of my way to speak to her.

"Thank you for speaking to me".  I guess that we never really know how we affect the people around us.  Just a small gesture such as speaking or recognizing a person can brighten a sad day for them.  It is so easy to just go about our busy lives and never think to brighten another person's life.

"Thank you for speaking to me".  I had to repeat it again, if only for myself.

Edit:  I did not start this thread to bring attention to myself, but rather to encourage all of us here to share different experiences that we have had with the "Little Things in Life".   

[kenlt30]

Thank You for being so thoughtful Magicman. You seem to be a good person.
Kenlt30

[Okrafarmer]

Yes. We do well to consider other peoples' needs even when it would be easier to ignore them. I remember around 12 years ago, I was having a frustrating day at work, and for no good reason yelled at one of my co-workers who said something that just annoyed me while I was trying to concentrate. (what he said was totally innocent and not bad at all). Later that day, I found out his wife had left him the previous day and been very mean to him in the process. I felt terrible.
 

[Okrafarmer]

Thank You for being so thoughtful Magicman. You seem to be a good person.
Kenlt30

Hey, welcome to the forum, Kenlt30! Yes, you will find that Magicman is a great guy to learn from and be friends with. He has a great track record here.

[Magicman]

kenlt30, I missed your first post back on December 03, so Welcome to the Forestry Forum.  You must have a WM LT30, so how about an introduction up in the Sawmills and Milling board?   

[Warbird]

Good thoughts, MM.  Thanks for sharing.

kenlt30, welcome to the FF!

[Cedarman]

Had an old geezer from St. Louis call the other day and wanted just 6 boards.  That's a 240 mile drive for him.  It took about 4 or 5 tries for him to get directions.  I just stayed pleasant and told him we would be here for him when he came.  When he came he could barely get out of the truck and I thought "Oh, boy".  He wasn't sure just what we could do or what he wanted, so I showed him some lumber and said we could cut to any thickness and plane if needed.  He finally figured it out and my sawyer started making some boards.
I always ask people what they do for a living, in his case what he had done for a living.
Hard hat diver for 50 years.  I got him started talking and stood back and listed to all kinds of neat stuff.  He was a really neat guy with a great mind and lots of stuff to tell.
We put his boards in his truck and on the way he went. I would love it if he came back. One of the more pleasant episodes to happen at the mill.
As MM says , take the time to say hello and speak a few  kind words.
He is one of the reasons I will sell any quantity of lumber.  Can't sell anything less than one board, if you cut it in two you have 2 boards.  Profit involves more than just a monetary return.

[dlabrie]

One day last summer, I was in Walmart. I was in a rush and not in a good mood. While shopping, I noticed a special-needs adult with a care giver. He was approaching everyone that went by. I thought, “keep a wide berth of him, get my stuff and get out”. So I get into the 20 items or less line with the grey cloud still over my head and guess who lines up behind me. Yup, the special-needs adult. He starts talking to me and reaches out his hand. I shook his hand and he and his caregiver lit up and high-fived each other. He then pulled my hand towards the caregiver to shake her hand. It seems that that is what they were practicing and I made his day. I felt a bit ashamed that I had avoided him in the first place and then realized that I really had no reason to be in a bad mood and really needed to count my blessings. I left the store smiling.

[Magicman]

I have never shared it on the FF, but I have no minimum b.f. for sawing a job.  A couple of weeks ago, I moved the sawmill to a customer's location, set it up, and sawed two logs.  I collected a whopping $40, made a new friend, and was home well before lunch.  The fact is, he had two logs that he really wanted to have sawed, and I have a sawmill.  I can assure you that the goodwill generated by what I do not even consider to be a saw job, and did not even pay my expenses, will pay dividends down the road somewhere, sometime.  It is not always about the money.

I did not start this thread to bring attention to myself, but rather to encourage all of us here to share different experiences that we have had with the "Little Things in Life".      I think that we have the ball rolling now.   

[paul case]

I have found I can make people laugh.
It only takes a smile or a laugh or them seeing my redneck belt. I like to keep it light and easy and it lightens the mood of those around me. Life is much easier when we make it easy.
Jake Hess used to say ''Things will either get better or get worse or stay about the same, In the mean time we cant do much about it anyway.....''
I would add that we may as well enjoy the time we have here. I always have something to smile about. PC

[Okrafarmer]

The other day I had to go into the doctor's office when I stepped on a nail. An older lady came in after me while I was in the waiting room. She signed in and sat down. The receptionist called back after her, waving a piece of paperwork,  "Mrs. -----,  are you still the same?" Meaning, I guess, is all your information still the same. Mrs. ----- got a funny look on her face, and replied back decidedly, "Yep, I'm still the same all right."

I said, loudly enough for both to hear, "If we weren't the same, we'd only be worse, right?"

That lightened the mood.

[sawwood]

I have had two saw jobs and both where small logs. One was 4 cherry logs
  14" X 40" long. When the guy called and said what he had i said in needed
one that are 4 to 5' long but bring them and we will see what we can do. I
had him help and we got them cut to what he wanted. Total them up and it came to $18.00 but he gave me $40 and said i did a good job. The outher
one was 3 small holly log that only total about 15.00 but received $20 and
a thank you. Gave both of them cards and i am sure it will work out later.
I try not to turn down work even if it doesn't pay, just knowing it helped
some one out.

Sawwood

[Okrafarmer]

Yes, thankfully, people have done me good deeds like that too at times.

[sawguy21]

I witnessed a wonderful event last week. A trio including a lady in a wheel chair were in the local watering hole on Saturday afternoon. Somehow a regular patron discovered it was the lady's birthday, he left and returned with a bouquet. He left it at the bar with instructions it was from the establishment.
The bar tender presented it to her, I started clapping and everyone joined in.
Gordie is a bit of a crusty old curmudgeon, he has his rough edges,  but that thoughtful gesture made the lady's day. She wheeled herself out for a few minutes, likely so we wouldn't see the tears.

[Bill Gaiche]

MM your shear politeness shows everyday. You made someones day,how great that is? Making someone feel good should happen more than we can count. We will never know how much it effects someones day by mearly saying hi or speak a couple words to them, lets just hope it mattered.,bg

[sandhills]

Magicman, I would like to second what Bill Gaiche said, and just in case you ever wonder if it's noticed or not you were the first to welcome me to the forestry forum and I remember.  And yes BG, I firmly believe it does matter.

[Okrafarmer]

All the people who reach out and help the newcomers are greatly appreciated. Sometimes new people just feel a little awkward, or shy, or reluctant to express themselves, but people like MM and others are great at drawing them in. This is true on the FF and in real life, though I have not met MM in real life, I mean it works that way both on line and IRL. 

[Chuck White]

Very nice MM.

Most times it doesn't take much to make someones day!

Welcome to the Forestry Forum Kenlt30

[chain]

One good deed deserves another. Always heard some of the worst disasters happen on the prettiest of days. I attest: A employee and I were outside our shop picking up and cleaning up and waiting for the dew to dry to begin the day's spraying.

Just out of the blue and down our driveway is a little girl came running towards me, as  she came closer I could see red on her face and arms, she ran straight into me, grabbed my jeans and pulled me and pointed toward the bridge over the hiway. "help me , Please!" she begged...all the while blood was coming from her nose and mouth, her hands bloody..she continued,"my family is in a wreck and it's on fire!"

Trying to recover my shock of this brave but bloody little thirteen yr. old girl, I looked down several hundred yards and could see some smoke and something crumpled in the weeds. We put her in my truck and raced down to the wreck, a horrible sight, her mother under the wreck, her crippled sister llying near in the weeds, a driver in serious condition, they had fell 70' through the bridge and hit headon the service road and bounced landing upside down! By this time the little girl looked to be in shock and I had my helper put a cover around her and hold her, I began stomping the grass fire, I knew not to move the girl injured on the ground but just then my neighbor drove up and thankfully had a fire extinguisher and put the engine fire out.

By this time emergency personel from everywhere began arriving, all hands were trying to lift up the vehicle from the mother. The brave little girl was sitting on a guard rail, still bleeding, watching. I grabbed an officer who I new well and told him to put her in the ambulance. Well, to shorten this up the mother died at the scene the little girls became foster children, they were form out of State but had a Grandmother living in Missouri the authorities would not let her care for them....years later now the little girl is all grown up with two children, grandmother is the baby sitter and I...she thinks I'm a hero...but no...that bloody little girl is the true hero..God gave her the strength, I know, she gave me my strength!

[sparky1]

I some days find that im in a pissy mood, and not as personable that I typically am. Then i will run across someone and we start talking and usually always leave the conversation both smilling. There really is not a greater feeling than the feeling of helping someone. Even if its as simple as holding a door for a couple seconds longer walking in or out of a gas station.

[Taylortractornut]

I think alot of times a older folks get to feeling lonesome or that folks overlook them or dont have time for them.  Theres an ornery concrete worker in town.  Alot of folks dont like him but he good.    He works alone except has an old man that he gets to help him set grade.     I see how much it means for the old man to get out and be part of something.       I think you have to remember that if it goes well you might be in that shape one day. 

On the other hand  really young folk get looked over some times.    I was doing a demo  job last summer that took  a few days.  The home owners had other contractors there and compmany they were entertaining.   I saw this little blonde headed boy on the steps everyone was walking around and ignoring him.     He was trying to show his parents  a toy excavator he had and  his mom was too busy with her friends and cell phone.      I had a 15 inch stump about dug up and I called him over and let him sit in the cab of the hoe.   I kindas guided the levers a bit and let him make 3 scoops and  then pull up the  stump.     Now everytime I see him in the store he has to come over and talk. 

[Okrafarmer]

Yep, I remember a crane operator that had pity on me when I was about 6. He let me sit in the cab of the old cable crane with him at the scrap yard (after all, it was probably the safest place to be while he was loading scrap). I was always a precocious engineer of sorts and would watch work being done while I was young. My dad had 5 acres cleared for a runway and I watched the excavator operator like a hawk, when I was about 14. When he took his lunch break, he put me up in the cab (Caterpillar 215) and throttled it down, and said, "Now, don't touch this, this, or that. Just see what you can do while I have my lunch." I pulled two stumps while he ate. 

[thecfarm]

I just saw one of my teaches the other day. Asked him if he was Mr Smith,I use to be he said.  I told him who I was. He wanted to know about marriage,kids,ect. 89 years old,he is now.
It only takes a moment in life to be nice to someone else. I do wish others would take the time.

[Okrafarmer]

  That's a typical response from an old man up in Maine

[doctorb]

Magicman-

Your story reminds me of a great song from John Prine entitled, "Hello in There."  Here are a couple of the verses.


Ya' know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder ev'ry day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."

So if you're walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes,
Please don't just pass 'em by and stare
As if you didn't care, say, "Hello in there, hello."


I like your story, the song, and the message of both.

[Buck]

Magicman,
  Thanks for this thread. Last night we had a fellowship at church. Superbowl party and silent auction for our youth mission trip to South Mississippi. The auction was a major success while all the lewd behavior was on the TV. The pastor and youth pastor even auctioned off an opportunity to throw a pie in their face ($150 raised on that alone). I had a good time ribbing them about it but could never do it. It's a respect issue with me
  Back on topic,  It amazes me how holding a door or a simple yes mam or yes sir will catch attention these days. I do it instictually and have tried to raise my kids to do the same.  To me this goes hand in hand with where this country needs to be or go back to. I know I've stretched this but Thanks again Magic..

[Buck]

I've thought about this thread all day and it has been one of my favorites. Another is one that Logdog initiated called simple inexpensive pleasures.

[CHARLIE]

I've enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks MagicMan!  I try to never miss an opportunity to visit, 'cause it may be the last one you'll get. I love to talk strike up a conversation with the cashiers, tellers, people in elavators or at least greet people when our paths cross.

One of my childhood memories was when I was about 5 or 6 and a carpenter was building a roof over the front stoop. I'm sure at that age I was asking him question after question. He was kind and always answered but now I realized that I was interfering with his work.  How did he handle the situation?  He stopped, took a piece of 1 by pine and with his handsaw cut out a toy rifle and gave it to me. I was thrilled and off I went to play with my new toy and he was able to finish his job. It doesn't take any more effort to be kind than to be unkind. 

[CHARLIE]

Brother Tom put a lot of his thoughts down in various places around the internet.  I'm always stumbling across something he wrote and I'm so thankful he took the time to document his thoughts.  Anyway, the Georgia Military College class of 1960 was preparing for their 50th Reunion a few years back and Tom, not being able to attend because of health reasons, wrote a little bit about his life on the alumni website. I copied this little bit from what he wrote 'cause I feel it fits in this thread.  He had written about his previous executive job and then started writing about making the decision to buy a sawmill and become a Sawyer.  It's amazing who you might meet if you take the time to say hello.

Charlie

__________________________________________________

"This down-to-earth profession has taught me that there are many important and intelligent people living in the background of the
Headlines and I feel very special to have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with them.  I've met WW II war heroes, Korean war heroes, Viet Nam War heroes, Ranchers, loggers, and swampers in the Okeefinokee, among those for whom I've sawed, as well as hundreds of men and women that have no medals to tout, but are the fabric that has held this nation together."

Tom (September 30, 2010)

[Magicman]

Thanks for that Charlie.

I also thought about "Waiting on a Woman".  Of course there is a song about it, and I heard my Dad talk about sitting on a shopping mall bench, talking to the other "waiters", and also waiting.  Sometimes I see men just sitting there and not even talking.  What a waste of time.  It's amazing how many times you will have a common interest with a stranger.  I love to share life.

[Bogue Chitto]

Best thread I have read, thank's Magicman. I try to teach my two boys to respect every one and everything.  The other day we were riding to school and one of my boys saw a person on the side of the street.  It was someone who he in his mind was "different or a person of lower self".  My 9 year old made a remark about this person that I had to stop the truck and almost get a switch from the road side . I did stop the truck a simply told him that God loves that person as much as he loves you.  That got him to thinking and I got mad at someone  later and he told me God loves that person as much as he loves you

[Cedarman]

Bogue , you bring up a point.  In school there are kids who get picked on and there are kids who do the bullying.  I told both my boys that I should never hear that they picked on or belittled anyone or wrath would befall them.  They were big strong and easy going. No one was ever going to pick on them. So I mentioned that they should look out for the those that are picked on. Told them they didn't need to be friends or buddies, just that the word is that people don't get picked on that can't defend themselves.
This was in a rural school and a few years ago.

This is what Jeff does for the forum members.  If he sees anyone being hassled with sarcasm or nastiness, boom, end of discussion.  There is an umbrella of protection to keep discussions civil.  What a nice place to visit.
Another one of those little things that make life enjoyable.

[Bogue Chitto]

RIGHT ON MY FRIEND!!! I told my boys if they ever pick on the anyone it will be hard pay. My boys play football and one is a brute on the field.  He will knock em down and then pick them up with an encouraging word.

[CHARLIE]

I get a big kick out of paying for a person or a family's meal in a restaurant without them knowing who did it. I don't do it all the time and don't have any criteria, but they usually do tend to be elderly.  But while traveling to Florida for Christmas, I did pay for a young man and his wife who had a cute baby girl at a Pizza Hut.  It was easy to tell that they didn't have much money and this meal was a special time.  Of course I always wish I could see their faces and hear what they said when they find out their meal and tip was covered, but I never will, because I want it to be anonymous.  Hopefully my gesture is meaningful to them, but I do it more for the way it makes me feel than anything else.

[Magicman]

I have had that to happen to me and never really knew who paid.  I agree with you Charlie, that the giving is the real pleasure.

[Bogue Chitto]

While reading this thread on Friday a man with a large back pack appeared at my door.  He was soaking wet and cold.  He had been all over town asking for help and a place to stay. The rain was coming down really hard and the temp. was dropping fast.  He had a story about how he was down and out and had no money.  Hitch hiking back to his home in Illinois after taking care of his sick mom in Florida. It did cross my mind that this man might be running a scam but I did not care.  If he was asking then I would try to help.  I tried to call all the churches around town to see if any could help but could not get in touch with any being late Friday.   I told him to get in my truck so I could take him to the local motel.  After I put him in the motel I gave him $40.00 so he could find some thing to eat.   I did this with a more happier heart because of everyone on this thread.  I think I helped this person better because of reading this thread. Thank you everyone for this lesson.

[Magicman]

You helped him, but it was your heart that was warmed.   

[Taylortractornut]

I  was told a story by  the  man that runs the compactor for me at work.    THis man that farmed and ran a tow service at night lived in Red Bay Alabama.    THey had a McDonalds there and  was  a couple in there late one night.   The tow truck owner stopped in to get an ice cream and a lady waled in ahead of him.   She was aproached by the couple  asking why she chose that restaurant and to answer a few questions.   She wa rude to them and said she didnt have time.     They asked the driver and he told them the tory of  he was out doing a late night tow and wanted an ice cream.     Upon answering the last of the questions  The couple told him they were from the headquarters and for his  time they awarded him 150 000 dollars.   That woman that was rude went ape.   

Every fall and summer I take alot of the veggies we grow on the truck patches to  older folks and sit an talk a while.    I learn alot and they really appreciate it.     I carried an old man a load of turnips the other day.   He wasnt there and I left 4    five gallon buckets of turnips on his porch.      Today his son shows up with a truck load of chicken manure for the garden.     

Amy got a few hundred dollars from her job at Christmas as a new employee.    She stopes by the animal shelter in the town where she works and donated 100 of it for that animals.    Her mom and dad and brother just pitched a fit about it.

[CHARLIE]

Bogue Chitto, most likely you'll never know but you could have changed a man's life or how he thought about life and how he treated people he came into contact with. You can't put a value on that.

Taylortractornut, sharing your bounty with others really warms peoples hearts and makes them believe that there is good in people. Sitting and listening to their stories is more than worth the time. You'd be surprised at what these people have done and where they've been in their lifetime.  What you wife did was generous and from her heart.  People with cold hearts will never understand that the good feeling of giving is worth far more than what was given.  I think back at the bible story of the 5 Talents and the man that got 1 talent and buried it. Such are those that don't reach out.

[Busy Beaver Lumber]

Used to go metal detecting with an great old fellow that was pushing 80 years old at the time, and unfortunately is now deceased. His son always liked it when I picked up his dad and took him with me because he always feared for dads safety if he went out in remote areas by himself. His son used to tell me that his dad would get all excited when he knew I was coming to take him metal detecting and would get up hours ahead of time to make sure he was ready to go, then would sit in his chair by the front window and look for me to arrive in my car. Despite his age, he would almost run from the front door to the passenger side of the car, metal detector and lunch bag in hand.

I enjoyed every minute of time with him and attentively listened to all the stories and knowledge he had about the history of Fort Wayne Indiana. Not only could he identify any odd item you might find, he could tell you why it was there based on who he knew had occupied that area in years past and what they did for a living. I never ceased to be amazed by him and enjoyed every second I got to spend with him. He is truly missed.