thank you, thomas, for the help

"I don't recall anyone named Thomas. Who is he?"

He's the young man who saw me struggling to mow my front yard who came to see if he could help me. I'd managed to get about half of the right side of the front yard done at that point. I admit, with this inguinal hernia, cutting the grass was wearing me out. He was outside doing yard work, too, three houses from mine, and walked over to ask if I would like his help.

"Wow. He sounds like a very well-mannered fellow."

Yes, he is. He wasn't trying to imply that I needed help; he simply asked if I would like some help. Very nice. What I gathered from our conversation is that he is the son of two teachers. Thomas and his wife, Hannah, moved in here by the park during the fall.

"Why did they move to Savannah?"

Actually, his folks are from here. His dad graduated from Groves in 1980, so he's about my age. Thomas said he and his wife had been living in Ardsley Park, but wanted to live over in this area. Perhaps they are looking to have children, and this area is near schools from elementary to high school, so that's good.

"Good for them for planning ahead, if that's the case. Did you ask him to mow the spiral pattern under your Japanese magnolia tree?"

Honestly, I was so relieved to have him doing the work that I didn't say anything about that. There will be plenty of time in the future for me to mow that back in place.

"I see that he's using your Ryobi. How did he like it?"

I think it's convinced him that battery-operated is the way to go. It's certainly a lot quieter! After the battery died, he just had a little bit left to mow, so he went home and brought his mower over here. I couldn't believe he did that for me! But it gets better. After he finished the front yard, he asked if I minded if he did the back yard, too.

"What??? That's incredible!"

He works as a personal trainer, he told me, and rarely gets outside. He likes working in the yard and he likes mowing grass. I'll say this: I don't think he even broke a sweat. He also seemed very laid back and calm. I tried to give him a bottle of water, but he said he has that at home. He was done with my entire yard within 90 minutes. He took his time, making sure it was cut well, and seemed quite content to be doing that. I am so grateful!

"I am happy for you, dear, that someone stepped up to help."

Thank you. I did make sure he had the address for the neighborhood's fb page, as well as my name. He said he doesn't do fb, but his wife does. I'll have to look out for her so I can say hi. He said she'll be "the red head walking the black puppy". (smile!)