An Act of Kindness

A few months ago, I posted about a very large, messy accident Ben had involving a Pacific Ocean of poop in one half of my home and then, a while after that, I posted about our long adventure with potty training.  I briefly mentioned borrowing my parents' carpet cleaner to cope with the messes this adventure often left on the carpet.  Today, out of nowhere, I was given the gift of my very own fancy, powerful, glorious, brand-new carpet cleaner.

The most surprising part of this gift is that it did not come from my doting parents or my generous extended family who often thinks of us and gives us nice gifts (like Ben's new black ocarina that he is ever so fond of--thanks Aunt Judy!), but from someone who has never met me or Ben.  This person knew my mom in high school and reads my blog about Ben, and she very thoughtfully and sweetly decided to give me a carpet cleaner that she had bought but never used and had never even removed from the box. 

I never know when Ben will have an accident.  They generally happen at an inopportune time, but he can't  help that.  He is getting better about potty training, but those accidents still happen from time to time.  He is also still struggling with his motor skills, which results in messes as he spills things.  Once, before he became verbal and couldn't communicate his wants and needs with words, he pulled a large pitcher of iced tea from the fridge to show me he wanted some and accidentally dumped the whole thing on the carpet in the dining room one hour before his birthday party.  And, of course, there was also the incident of the perfectly straight black crayon lines.

My parents have always willingly loaned me their carpet cleaner and have allowed me to hold it hostage keep it for long periods of time, but now they can keep theirs and I will have one whenever I need it for crayon, iced tea, grape juice, spaghetti sauce, poop, chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast, and whatever else might happen to land on the carpet.

To the person who gave me this gift:  thank you for helping to make my life easier and taking some of the stress out of helping Ben with his struggles.  I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity more than I can express, and I am very touched that you thought to give me such a big gift that will help so much around here.  Thank you for thinking of us, and thank you for your kindness.