Subtle Calls for Help - Will Next Week's Deal Be 50% Off?

Mandy called earlier today.  She had a couple of questions.   The first was about a school event for Belle.  The second struck me as a bit odd. 

She needs a large martini glass from Michael's - the craft store - to donate to Belle's school as part of a centerpiece for an upcoming fundraiser.  Did I know if next week's coupon would be a 50% off coupon?  She has a half off coupon, but it's only good through today.  The nearest Michael's is all the way to the cities ... if she knew next week's coupon was going to be a 50% off deal, she would wait until her drive home from work one day.  Did she really want to run that errand today or not?

It didn't take long for the light bulb to turn on.

It was time to shift my weight on the scale from grieving grandparent towards caretaker mom.  This was not an item Mandy wanted to buy, have in her home or would ever think to donate.  It was an assigned donation.  Mandy was asking me for help.   

The circumstances of Kitty's death involved her dad driving on the ice while under the influence of alcohol.  If you have read my story, you know that the car broke through the ice and Kitty drowned.  I have not written about the consequences, but son-in-law has many, many varied requirements he must fulfill as part of his probation ... all of which he readily accepted.

One piece of his sentencing is that he lost his drivers license for 10 years.  That leaves Mandy as the chauffeur for all of his probation requirements, her full-time job, his job, school events, the kids' activities, doctor appointments, shopping, anytime anyone needs to go anywhere ... you get the gist. 

Asking Mandy to purchase a martini glass was not very well thought out ... it involved two undesirables: alcohol and running an extra errand.   

I told her I would get the glass on my way home from church tonight.  There were a couple of stops I wanted to make and I would add it to my itinerary.  That 50% coupon was online, my Michael's is only a few miles away and I was already going out the door.  She can get it from me when I babysit the youngest two on Monday.  Simple solution.

We can't take away our children's sorrow, but we can stay alert to their subtle calls for help.  When Mandy asked a question about a coupon, she actually asked me to run an errand.   I am glad she calls me and that she realizes that I am happy to do what I can to make things easier for her. 

Thank goodness for those 50% off coupons.