Good Samaritans

I ordered a small dresser drawer from IKEA a couple of weeks ago (to be used as our changing table). It was supposed to be delivered sometime this week, and I was supposed to pay for it upon delivery. BUT, oops, when the mail woman dropped by yesterday I had absolutely no money. So, she took the (huge) box back to the post office and said I could pick it up there.

Watching the post office woman struggle with the box made me realize that I wouldn't be able to handle carrying the box back to the apartment myself. So I called up Jess, super muscle woman that she is. She willingly came along to be my "strong man" and support. We got to the Post, I paid for the package, and then we waited while the Post woman went back to get it. She came out with the package on a little wheely cart with this look on her face like, "You know, this box is very heavy." I stared back, all like, "BRING IT ON!"

And then Jess tried to lift it. Her face got all red, eyes all bulgy, watery... SWEAT DRIPPING!!!!!!

I decided to help her out, so I grabbed one end and we began to struggle out of the post office towards the bus stop, wavering to and fro. Just when my back started to ache an older woman stopped, looked at us, and began speaking to me. In my out of breathness, I didn't completely understand her, but she seemed to be asking where I was going with the package. I told her that we were taking the package to the bus stop. She asked where I lived, and I told her. And I understood completely when she said, "I have a small car, but I think that you two and that package can fit in it!" I breathed a sigh of relief and accepted her offer of help.

She not only gave us a ride to my house, but also helped Jess carry the box into the elevator (she complimented my German too, ha!). What a wonderful, wonderful woman. I couldn't have been more thankful. Even though she lectured me about carrying heavy things when I was pregnant. But really, what can you do when you have no other option?!!!!

After lugging the box into our apartment, Jess offered to actually build the drawer. Being the girl with two left thumbs and absolutely no logical "building" sense, I immediately took her up on the offer. I puttered around the kitchen (made some blue berry muffins) while she pounded away.

How can I do more than say thank you to my two Samaritans of the day? One unknown, the other my companion and dear friend here in Stuttgart. Well, I thank you, Nate thanks you, and my back says, "You're the BEST!!!!"