by Hope
My parents have been in town for over a week. The primary purpose of their trip is for my mom to see her mom. But seeing us is a close second, at least in my mind.
At the end of the first week, my dad took pity of me and offered to buy me a new dryer. I said “yes and thank you.” My new dryer will be delivered and installed later this week.
It was not easy to say yes. But I have learned that accepting help from others is not a sign of weakness, but rather it’s way of expressing gratitude. I know I won’t explain this well, but essentially when the most terrible of times hit us several years ago with the loss of our house and then the loss of my job, I found a devotional that essentially said, “you don’t know who God will send to you in your time of need” and not accepting unsolicited help is an affront to God.
That was a really hard pill to swallow. Really hard. Because I am definitely known for my pride. But, over the last several years, I have seen this time and time again. People just appear in our lives, our needs have been met without us asking. And it brings me to my knees with gratitude and thankfulness and “proof” that my God is all-knowing and all-seeing.
So I don’t want to get all preachy, preachy, but we have been truly blessed by this gift.
Funny Story
What’s funny is that he ordered it from Lowes which is about 45 minutes away from us. We got a great price and better yet, free delivery and installation. Wow, that saves me a huge headache!
I thought we would get one from Home Depot which is literally 2 miles from my house. But while they had some similar items and prices, the delivery was $73 and installation would have been more than that.
It’s insane to me that they are not more competitive. But Lowes for the win and I am so grateful.
Side Note
My mom asked my dad why he didn’t just wait for Christmas. (I’ve been helping her prepare for Christmas, at least for the Georgia family this week so Christmas was on her mind.) And he looked at her and said “do you remember when you had 5 kids at home? Would you have wanted to go 3 months without a dryer?” She immediately responded with a “no way!” It was all in fun. And I’m grateful we can laugh about it. But I know it’s yet another sign that my mom’s disease is changing her.
We’ve actually had lots of “funny” moments with my mom. I am really glad they came and that we are getting the chance to make these memories.
Since my parents have decided to stay at least through this week, we decided to not go to Florida for the kids’ break. We may still do something fun, but we are going to stick closer to home as I want to cherish every moment I can with my parents. I know how blessed I am to have them here.
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.
But life has a way of rewriting your plans.
A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.
Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.
Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.
She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.
