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Paying it Forward

August 23, 2018 by Karen Giebel 7 Comments

There is never a time limit for repaying a kindness by paying it forward. Today was that day.

A lifetime ago, a thousand years ago, 1989 or just yesterday, depending on my frame of mind, a neighbor friend of our family gifted us something so simple, so special that I have never forgotten it. And here is the story…….

My Dad’s passion was farming. Raising food for his family so they would never be without as he was growing up.  He raised every fruit and vegetable imaginable on our 3- 1/2 acres. As his COPD progressed, it became increasingly harder for him to manage his large garden, but he never gave up. My Mom, a true offspring of the Great Depression, did not know how to waste …any…thing. What Dad grew, Mom canned. It never occurred to her to buy canned tomatoes. Unheard of in her world.

In 1989, Dad managed to plant and grow his tomatoes but by harvest time, he was well beyond capable of gathering. Mom was overwhelmed with caring for their large home, yard, garden and most importantly, Dad. But those tomatoes loomed large and were a bother to my mother who could not fathom not harvesting or canning tomatoes. And I? I could not add one more thing to my plate with work, 2 wee ones and my own set of “stuff.” I was there to help every other weekend as I worked the opposite weekend.

And then………one day while I was at home with Mom and Dad, our neighbor Helen Nocek came over for a short visit. Sitting in the living room, Helen said ” Clare, I’ll can your tomatoes for you.” That simple, but I have never forgotten it. On the surface it seems like a simple gesture. I mean, how hard is it to can Tomatoes? Let me tell you sister, it is a ton of work! August was a boiling hot month. Back in the day there was no air conditioning much less Central Air. Kitchens were hot, humid and wives were hot, humid and sweaty. After canning all those tomatoes, they still had to cook dinner, do the dishes and clean up the kitchen. You couldn’t pay someone to do that work today! So Helen picked the tomatoes, washed and scaled the canning jars, blanched and peeled the tomatoes. Packed them into quart jars, set them into the canner and let them cook. She repeated that process until they were all gone. I did this year after year after year with my Mom, so I know……………………….

Thank you Helen. I have never forgotten your kindness. I wish I would have told her in her living years.

And now…………..

Our friend and neighbor, Mike canned Peaches and Pears from our little Orchard every year. Mike helped us in uncountable ways when we moved here. He was a wonderful man who worked tirelessly for his family. Mike died the first of June, but before he passed, I promised him I would make sure his wife and son had all the peaches and pears they needed to get them over the winter. Today, I canned 20 Pints of Peaches and took them up the road.

Thank you Helen. Today, almost 30 years later,I finally paid it forward.

 

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Filed Under: Back of the Beyond in Ferry County, Washington, Everyday Life, Memories Tagged With: Country Living, Family Stories, Friends, Friendship Stories, Peaches, Tomatoes

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Comments

  1. Tina Matney says

    August 23, 2018 at 3:49 am

    It doesn’t take much to move me to tears, you know the reasons. But this has me weeping. What a beautiful person you are. And I hope you know I will pay forward your kindness on that fateful day in May when you were here by the grace of God…for the rest of my life.

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      August 23, 2018 at 4:02 am

      Tina, I don’t know that I ever initiate love, but I respond ( finally!) to the love placed smack dab in front of my face. I think of Helen Nocek every year when I can tomatoes. So grateful to finally return her gift.
      And oh…my….goodness, that episode in May was an incredible, unbelievable set of circumstances.

      Hugs and Love,
      Karen, TJG

      Reply
  2. Tina Hershaw says

    August 23, 2018 at 4:12 am

    Lovely story and we all need to remember to pay it forward. The blessing is in the doing. You are both!

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      August 23, 2018 at 1:53 pm

      Tina, It truly is “it is only when we give, that we receive.”

      Blessings, Karen

      Reply
  3. Sharon Paz says

    August 24, 2018 at 12:53 am

    Great story as always Karen. I’m sure Helen heard you and both she and Mike are smiling. It’s a wonderful feeling to do for others.
    Hugs
    Shar

    Reply
  4. Sheila says

    September 11, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    Karen, you have an amazing gift. In all of your posts you bring the reader with you and- for a while- they are part of your story. Thank you for sharing that!

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      September 11, 2018 at 7:33 pm

      Sheila,

      Thank you for your kind words. You made my day!

      Hugs,
      Karen, TJG

      Reply

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Nice to meet you

Karen Giebel, the Journey GirlHello and "WELCOME" to the Journey Girl! I'm Karen, a happy, optimistic retired RN living out my dreams with my husband Dan up here in the back of the beyond in Ferry County, Washington. High up in the mountains just 20 miles from the border with British Columbia, Canada. I enjoy writing and sharing with my friends all about our lives raising Alpacas, growing our gardens, all the gorgeous birds and wildlife that surround us. Sharing stories of our daily lives as we travel this journey through life. Cooking is my passion and I solve all the world's problem while standing at my stove and I love sharing my recipes with you. I am glad you are all here with me today and every day. Journey on!

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