Why cant they all be good ones?

On Feb 14th Liam came to the house because I’d been telling him about my kitchen drawer and how it was broken. Liam is this amazing woodworker. The things he makes just cant be described. I think theyre wonderful. Anyway, he brought my drawer back last night around 7pm. He was standing in the dining room talking to the kids when he noticed Aidan’s door leaning against the wall. I explained (again) that Josh, in a fit of rage almost a year ago, ripped the door off of the wall breaking the door jamb in the process. You could see the foundation beams in the house where it was framed. He really screwed up the wall and Aidan has had no privacy since.

Liam took a look at it and asked for tools I didnt have. Long story short, he was able to reframe the jamb and reattach the door using only a hammer and a leatherman pocket multi-tool in under 30min. I was ELATED. Aidan was so happy. Liam just smiled his dry smile and said that was an easy fix, I’m glad I was able to do it. Aidan and I were so thrilled we couldve kissed him. Seriously.

I made a spinach artichoke flatbread thing for the kids for dinner (which they devoured) and I had also made dulce de leche cupcakes. I offered him one but he asked for a drink instead. I poured him a CC on the rocks and we sat in my room for about 90min chatting. I knew he’d be coming over so I picked up a bottle just for that reason. He probably likes other brands better but this is pretty mid-range as far as they go so I stick with it, plus once in a while I like a little myself with Dr. Pepper. When he was leaving I gave him $50 in cash for his work. He didnt want to take it but put it into his pocket anyway. I explained that I understood that he’s only doing odd jobs for friends and family and that he’s busy with school so please take the money. I told him he could buy a present for his sister who is due to have a baby in May.  He told me to use it for someone for myself or put it into the bank for my kids, etc.. I insisted he keep it. He thanked me and bid me a good night before leaving. He wanted to go home and see where he’d left his phone.

Less than 30min later he sent me a text that said "Phone was home and so am I." We texted a little and he said, "You should have showed me that other drawer while you were there, I guess I’ll just have to come back." I said that it didnt even occur to me because I was so happy to have that stupid door out of my dining room. He asked me if Josh would notice it was fixed and I explained that I’d texted Josh to ask him where Emma’s glasses were and while I had his attention I told him about the door. Josh asked how much I paid him and I said $50 to which he said that probably wasnt enough but if he doesnt ask for more, you’re probably square. I told Liam to seriously put some thought into what I’d paid him and if he thinks I shortchanged him to let me know and I’d be more than happy to give more. He said, "No, youre my friend and it would take me longer to calculate everything than it did to fix it."

I let it go, and went to bed shortly after. I woke up this morning, got the kids to school, came home and wanted to test out the new chalkboard I’d made on Monday. It still needs hung but that can wait. I remembered leaving a piece of chalk on the windowsill in the living room and went to get it. When I got there, Liam had left the money I gave him. Sneaky guy! There was a note that said, "Thankis for being great. Be $50 worth of good friend ’til the next time you need me."  He signed the first letter of his name.

I really dont recall him pulling the notepad from his pocket or standing around long enough to write the note. The only thing I can think of is that he did it while I ran in to let Aidan know it was time for bed -OR- he came over this morning and left it for me. He knows my doorcode. I gave it to him again 2wks ago when I was lamenting about the drawer. I knew my schedule was full during the day so I said just pop in on your way to class and check it out. He told me he didnt come by when I wasnt home. Furthermore, I cant see him waking up super early, driving the 20 or so minutes from his house to mine at 7am just to leave me a note. Like I said to Mary, I’m glad I am the one to find the money. Josh would have kept it and let me go on believing that Liam had taken it.

Liam is one of the good ones. He does things for people without expecting anything in return. I’d say he certainly lives one of the Scout mottos "Do A Good Turn Daily." 

Regardless, I am so thankful that he could help me. I will send him a nice note when I get a free moment. Maybe this evening. It just makes me wish that more people were nice people.

If you have someone in your life who has been exceptionally kind to you, thank them today.