Lessons from mowing my lawn.

My husband recently had the third surgery on his right arm in about two years. Because of that, I’m finding myself doing things that – because he spoils me rotten – I am not accustomed to doing. My daughter’s been mowing the lawn, however, she’s at youth camp this week. I haven’t mowed a lawn in a long, long time, and learned a few lessons from the experience:

• Men generally, and my husband in particular, are great. They do this all the time and don’t make a big deal out of it.
• See that lever? It’s not going to start unless you squeeze it close to the handlebar while you pull the string.
• Thick grass may look pretty and feel nice when you walk through it barefoot but it really sucks to mow.
• Empty the bag before it gets too heavy.
• Men generally, and my mailman in particular, are great. My car broke down the day before my husband’s surgery and he obviously hasn’t been able to fix it. The car’s been parked for several weeks partially covering the grass, which is growing high and giving people the unfortunate impression that rednecks live here. So I had the clever idea to put the car in neutral and roll it forward so I could mow underneath. My mailman stopped his truck, hopped out and helped push. That was really decent of him. I feel like a jerk for forgetting to get him that Starbucks gift card for Christmas.
• While it is good to do this while my husband is at work so he doesn’t have to feel bad about seeing me do it – it is better to do it immediately after he leaves in the morning when it’s cooler.
• It’s New Orleans in July. If you’re not sweating, you’re dehydrated. Drink something.
• See that other lever? If you squeeze it, the lawnmower propels itself. Wish I’d figured that out half an hour ago. This reminds me of witnessing to people under our own power – trying to “lawyer” people into the faith rather than praying and letting God provide opportunities. He’s provided the power to do His will, so why don’t I use it?
• The lawn is not going to look as good as when he does it. He’s had years of practice and really, as long as we’re not going to be fined by the parish, that’s going to have to be good enough.
• Men generally, and my husband in particular, are great. I am more grateful than ever for all the things he does.

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Photo credit: You can almost see the grass grow, originally uploaded by aussiegall.