For almost 8 yrs now, we've been putting our trash on our front porch and
for almost 8 yrs now... our trash man has picked it up.
That might seem pretty normal to most of you, but let me explain something.
We've had the exact same trash man for EIGHT yrs.
Most of us don't keep the same Dentist for more than a few visits, yet the man who's
been collecting our garbage once a week has been the same man.
An average of 406 times so far he has stopped and collected the unwanted, discarded remnants of our life from this front porch.
Sometimes, when we had to part with something we thought may have been of some value, we would set it aside. Like any Good Trash Man... he'd look it over before putting it in the cab of his truck. We never learned about him... who he was, or did he have a family.
All we ever knew was that he would show up at our home every week.
Granted, trash pick-up was paid for..... many times paid for, but we've put stuff on that porch that should have NEVER gone in a trash truck.
AND lets not forget the fact that to get to our porch, he has to back his truck up a narrow hill that's usually dotted with midless tourons. He can't drive up our street for two reasons..... 1, there's no place to turn around and 2, it's too narrow at the other end for his big truck.
So this morning... the day after Xmas 2008, sitting here at my computer in my warm home, I hear the familiar beep beep beep of the trash truck backing up our hill. This is when I realize I have his Xmas gift sitting here in front of me.... Somewhere!!!!
In a panic I found it and headed out the door to give it to him and more importantly to meet him.
Reuben, our trash man is a very nice man. He pulled off his gloves to introduce himself, thanked me, wished me Merry Xmas as well and headed off to try and collect two days of xmas garbage in just one day. I'm glad I met him and even though I still don't know anything about him..... I know his name is Reuben, and he has a great smile!!
Here's my xmas poem I wrote for our Trash Man!!!
Twas The Day After Xmas
Twas the day after xmas and all thru the house... the cats were all crazy like they'd just caught a mouse.
Steve was still snuggled asleep in the bed with his CPAP air hose wrapped tight round his head.
When out on the street... well who could it be... Hit my head on the glass, when I looked out to see.
No it couldn't be him it was just way too soon.... Had all trash been gathered... why'd he come before noon.
Knocking things over and onto the floor... I grabbed for his gift and I ran out the door.
Me with no coat and no shoes on my feet.... I got to the trash man way down on the street.
As I passed him his present, a gift card for Sheetz... He must've thought I was crazy... bare arms and bare feets.
He pulled off his gloves and we shook like friends do... He said my name is Reuben, Merry Xmas to you.
I thank you, I thank you, but must be on my way... There are others awaiting their trash pick-up today.
As he drove down the hill on that cold winter morn... My new friend waved out his window and he tooted his horn.
It's never too late to say Hi or Hello.... Merry Xmas to all and to all, kindness show.
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