That train of thought by Ralph Waldo Emerson stared me in the face today while at a clients home. I rarely go out on carpet and air duct cleaning jobs with the tech, but today I did. My presence is not usually needed out in the field, but today was a bit different. The client could barely speak as it appeared he had a stroke, so we all had to put our heads together on this one. I went to the address thinking perhaps a care giver would be present.
We ring the doorbell and an older gentleman opens the door and motions us into the main living rooms. He has a modest but charming home with books everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Once inside the living and dining rooms, I lay my eyes on some of the most beautiful antique and semi-antique Oriental Rugs I have seen outside of Sothebys and markets in Turkey, Iran or Switzerland. I used to be an Oriental rug collector. I stopped, because for me, it was as addictive, as strong as, if you were to put a "d" in front of the word "rug". Our job was to clean his antique Oriental rugs, but he didn't want us to take them with us, we were to do it there, but in the old world way, by hand, with a brush. I said "yes" with immediate enthusiasm and immediately received a slight jab below my rib cage from you know who. They were so beautiful, just exquisite. It was like hanging around in the old neighborhood. The one I usually avoid at all costs, because I know how relapses happen. So, yes it is true. I was intoxicated by the rugs. High on everything they offered to me, just like in the old days.
So several hours later, we gave him the final invoice and recived a check for $300.00 more than the total due. His handwriting was shaky, but there was a note along with the check that read - "When You Were Cleaning My Rugs I Saw Inside You" As we left he kissed my hand...at that point, I would have gladly done it for free.
Michelle Viggiano Scottsdale & Phoenix Green Plant Based Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning www.healthyhomeaz.com
Oh Michelle! That is a lovely story. I can so relate to being intoxicated by something like that - I love orientals but they're not one of my d/rugs of choice - I still have control over that substance! but for many others I don't so I know just what you mean.
Liz
Hi Liz, antique Orientals rugs with huge borders and an exquisite palette and of particular designs, were once almost the undoing of me. I know you understand.
They have amazing color and texture. I love these. What a beautiful moment to share with us. I truly understand the concept of seeing inside of you because it's been my experience that some souls recognize each other... Intangible moments can be quite amazing. :-)
Oh my, Michelle--how how touching. Your story brings tears to my eyes. He saw inside you because you reached out to help him. You connected with him and that connection allowed him to see inside you. That is what life is about connecting with other humans on their level preferably.
Addictions . . . Huge topic. 'But for the grace of God there go I . . .' I think most of us have something that could be addictive in our lives. Recognizing that fact and deciding what you want to do about it is the beginning, just the beginning. Thanks.
Such a passionate and spiritual experience means more than money in life. Sounds like the wise old man had a lot more to offer. He knew what he wanted, and you knew he deserved it. What a match. He's lucky he called you. Thanks for the shared experience and the mindset.
Hi Carolyn, I had to stop with those three, in case I had a relapse...Actually, I buy antique Oriental rugs at auctions for my clients frequently when the spirit of the project calls for it. Your right, the intangible moments are usually the most amazing.
Hi Mary, nice to see you. Hope your land is drying out from the flood and you are walking and being the wonderful steward that you are. An unexpected treasure came from going out on a call. Of course the joke in the van after the job were variations on the following - from my enlightened colleague - "Meeting your soul-mate may require getting down on your hands and knees with a brush..." to "Want to meet you soul-mate - go out on a service call" It didn't stop...but it was a great day.
Jim, all kidding aside, it was one of the most wonderful days I have had. Priceless.
For lack of a better word, what a cool story. Fortunately for me, the only current tug of addiction lies near the bottom of a perfectly brewed cup of caffeinated tar. Of course, with what they charge for a decent cup of joe these days, it may someday supplant yours as the more cost prohibitive indulgence ;)
Paul, I prefer not to count that beverage in or near the addiction zone, because I am clearly hooked and have no intention of dealing with it. I have a friend who is a physician and she always tells me how bad it is, and I have to counter and tell her, not as bad as that botox your injecting into all those cosmetic junkies...one for us coffee drinkers.
Michelle, what a beautiful story. I'm so glad you went out on that call, you obviously touched that gentleman's heart.
Hi Chris, as he touched mine. Great to see you.
Michelle - way awesome! You never know who's on the other end of the phone, you skillfully and passionately gave the guy exactly what he needed. The mini dress and low cut top may have also been a factor (I'm kidding!)
Very funny John. Of course it didn't go down like that, but very amusing. just the same.
I'm so glad janeAnne pointed me in your direction. I am going to subcribe so that I can enjoy all of your posts. You write beautifully and from the heart which I'm sure is what the gentleman sensed as well. I wish you were closer to NC, I would love to meet you.
Diana, what a lovely comment, you have made my day. I am honored that you would subscribe. I love North Carolina around Charlotsville and also around Pinehurst. I spent a month there several years ago and fell in love with your state. Sometimes, when I can't tolerate the heat here, I consider moving there, honestly. It's a pleaure meeting you!
Hello Michelle—How fortunate for you to have met a kindred spirit. I have complete comprehension of d/rugs and their affect upon me. Pottery, baskets and natural fibers (and rocks too... shhhh) call to me from great distances, capture my heart and eventually space, as once acquired I cannot let them go.
I believe the jury is still out concerning the effects of coffee. I have read copious amounts of information concerning the positive health benefits of coffee, thus I am unlikely to relinquish it from my daily habits.
I hope you are having a wonderful week... and wish you more treasured moments with like-minded spirits.
Hi Linda, nice to see you. Do you mean minerals/rocks? Love them. Have old Chinese blue and white and also Imari chargers filled with minerals in a few rooms. I try to always go to the Tucson Gem Show, there are a few of my favorite dealers who show there, but I have been curbing that as the prices are really getting high. I have found that at the Natural History Museums if you get friendly with the staff there, they always have something good to sell or trade. Really, Linda, I don't know how I used to have so much time for all these things. Now, I can't find a moment for treats of this nature...
Michelle - the other lesson here is to not judge a book by it's cover. We frequently pass off old and shaky as worthless. But ahh... the wise eyes that were upon you. A moment to capture... and you did it so well for us.
You are so right Sally, about not judging a book by it's cover. Old and Shaky, Tattered and Poor, Unfashionable and Plain, Halting English and Menial Labor...Just all externals that do not address the human jewel inside the package. On the other end of the spectrum, Couture and Fancy, Suited and Brief Cased, Tailored and High Necked, Uniformed and Badged, are no guaranty of what's lurking beneath that facade either....
Your story is a great example of why I wish Americans would spend more time with the elderly members of their families. There is so much "inside of them," but we shuttle them off to a nursing home to be with their own kind because we don't have time for them. I truly hope that the global economy will help us learn from some of the other cultures that respect their elderly citizens.
So true Russel. So true. It is a sad legacy here in our culture that the old are rather discarded. A pity and a distasteful waste of humanity - our own.
Hi Michelle~ Those kind of experiences with others is absolutely priceless! It seems as though that elderly man knows a real jewel when he sees one! If only more of our encounters with others were like that!
Hi Vckie, it's nice to meet you. Yes, it's a pity such encounters are truly a rarity. Or are they? We are all in such a hurry, on both ends of the equation, we rarely ever actually see the other person beyond the externals...perhaps if we slowed down to decipher what's beyond the surface a bit more, it would happen much more frequently.