27 Dec Stranger at My Door
His name was Benny or at least that’s what the stitching on his work shirt read. I don’t know her name. I guess I could ask my neighbor, but I relish the fact that we were total strangers, never having met before, and possibly never meeting again.
As one of the few stay-at-home/work-from-home parents, I have the honor of not only retrieving my children after school but the children of two dear friends – five teenagers in all. Snack time is a must when “my kiddos” come home: fruit, veggies and dip, a sweet treat, chips and dip, fresh baked banana bread, or some variety of snacks await them. At times they are quiet, looking down at their phones, but most of the time after school catch-up goes on, discussing the events that unfolded on campus, or are being planned for the upcoming weekend.
As I prepared supper, I observe these delightful souls engaging in dialogue, enjoying time together, or just being still in silence. Today the doorbell broke the solitude. As I approached the door, I fully expected to see one of my friends arriving early to get her kids.
“Who is it?” I asked while simultaneously pushing the button on the “camera” that allows me to see who is standing on the front porch.
The heavy wooden door, with three locking mechanisms, is fortified by a security door with another lock. (Our boys were sleepwalkers in their formative years so precaution on the scale of Fort Knox was a must).
A timid voice and then, “Ummm…I’m your neighbor’s cleaning lady and I locked myself out of my car. My phone is dead. Do you have a charger?”
By definition a moment seems so miniscule, but it never is. A multitude of thoughts ran through my mind: “Always help the stranger,” Daada said. “Stranger danger,” almost every elementary school teacher warned. “Be kind,” Umme spoke. You have five children here who are watching and listening to every movement and utterance from you. This is a teachable moment, my educator self chimed in. “Stand in your integrity,” my therapist echoed.
I gingerly unlocked the three locks on the wooden door and through the security screen saw a young woman, standing with phone in hand.
“I was cleaning Jerri’s house and locked my keys in my trunk. I hate to bother you but could you please charge my phone enough so I can contact someone?”
“Your intuition will never lead you astray – never.”
Your intuition will never lead you astray – never. After having felt her genuine need for help, I unlocked the security screen door and asked what type of phone she had. As I turned around to ask one of my sons to grab his charger from upstairs, he was already standing up, “Yes, we have that.”
She said she would sit outside by her car while I charged the phone in the house. I never invited her in. Even though my intuition was guiding me saying “this person is safe”, there was a healthy boundary I needed to create, showing the young ‘ens that we can be of service without putting ourselves in an unknown situation. After five minutes the phone charged to 13 percent.
“Please don’t open the door for anyone,” I say to the high-schoolers while on my way out to get our daughter from middle school. The stranger at the door had nothing to do with this warning; this is a common phrase I say to my children when I leave them alone.
As we returned home and pulled into the garage, the young lady was sitting on the curb next to her car. “Any luck?” I asked out of the window. Her insurance company had her on hold so long that her battery was running low yet again. I scuttled my youngest into the house and asked her to return with the charger.
Our garage is equipped with outlets, so I asked the lady to come in and use one for as long as she needed. As my husband’s Star War’s Lego ships floated in an elaborate battle of good versus evil over our heads, I offered her water but she politely declined.
“My insurance company keeps transferring me. We have roadside assistance so I don’t know what’s the problem.” I could sense her worry and anxiety increasing. “My kids should be getting home soon,” she wearily said.
“Let me call AAA and see what I can do on my end. Stay on the phone with your insurance and I’ll get on the phone with mine,” I reassured her. I entered my home once again and as both locks clicked in place, I wondered how I could be locking a stranger out of my house but accepting her into my heart.
After getting AAA on the line, I went back into the garage to ask the year, model and make of my new friend’s vehicle.
“Okay, we are set. They should be here in 45 minutes,” I shared.
More like four to five minutes. The truck came around the corner as we were still chatting about the benefits of AAA and the false “promise her insurance company” made to her family of roadside help but it wasn’t in the “plan” that they signed up and pay monthly dues on.
Benny was a young man in his twenties, with a shaved head, tattoos which peeked from his neckline, and a crooked smile showcasing a mischievous side. I showed Benny my photo id and AAA card. He asked me to sign on the dotted line.
As he engineered a consensual break-in of my newly found friend’s vehicle, while she stepped away to observe, my breath became short, tears welled in my eyes, as I witnessed God, the Universe, Om, Magic, Love, all surrounded in a singular moment. The sky became brighter, the colors more vibrant, and a light surrounded three total strangers congregating on a street. Benny’s brown, leathered hands maneuvered the tools just right and then – pop. The door unlocked.
“Thank you, sir,” I said as I shook Benny’s hand. He gave me that glorious smile one last time. My new friend thanked him as well.
“I have cash. I can give you money,” she said to me, as the engine of Benny’s mighty truck faded away down our tree lined street.
“No thank you,” I smiled. “Isn’t this what we are here to do – be there for each other.”
“Yes, but most people don’t,” she replied.
“Thank you for this moment, for Benny, and the stranger
who opened my heart wide open.”
We hugged goodbye and I walked into my home, locking the door behind me, but keeping my heart wide open to God’s glory. The salty tears flowed freely now, grateful to be released from their prison sentence, spilling onto my cheeks, down my chin, soaking my shirt. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to love, I said to the Universe. Thank you for guiding me to Your glory. Thank you for this moment, for Benny, and the stranger who opened my heart wide open.
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