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Last week, Mrs. Groovy and I returned home from our daily constitutional and were greeted by two sheriff deputies. It seems a neighbor lost control of her car and visited some carnage upon our fence. Here are some pictures:
Our first and only reaction to the carnage was the health of the driver and any additional passengers who might have been in the car. Were the occupants of the car okay? We didn’t care why it happened. We didn’t care if the driver had insurance. And we didn’t care what it would cost to repair our fence.
Thankfully, the driver and all the other passengers were fine. And aside from a busted headlight and some unsightly dents, the car was fine too.
According to the two deputies, here’s how the assault on our fence went down:
- Our neighbor, a married mother of six, was under the impression that she loaded all her kids into her car so she could run some errands and take the oldest one to a McDonald’s interview.
- But in the confusion of corraling six children into her car, four of which are under 10, she neglected to take a head count. The newborn, who is only three weeks old, wasn’t there. He was presumably resting in his car seat in the driveway, oblivious to his predicament.
- Fortunately, our mom realized the enormity of her slip-up not more than a quarter of a mile from her home. But she panicked nonetheless (who could fault her for that?), and in her quest to get home as quickly as possible, she made a left or a U-turn with way too much speed and bounded off the road onto our property. And that explains why our fence is partially mangled. Panic to get home caused an entry wound, and an exit wound.
- Now that’s a mama bear in action. And her fierce determination to get home wasn’t in vain. Her three-week-old was resting safe and sound in his car seat in the driveway, sleeping like a three-week-old.
The day following the accident, Mrs. Groovy and I went to visit our neighbor to make sure she and her kids—especially the three-week-old—were okay. We also went to visit our neighbor to return some plastic parts from her car’s front end that got dislodged during the accident and to inform her that we wouldn’t be filing a claim with her insurance company—we were going to shoulder the cost of repairing the fence ourselves. Needless to say, our neighbor was very touched by our kindness.
The cost of our magnanimity shouldn’t be much—I’m figuring a couple of days of labor and less than $200 in materials. But what if Mrs. Groovy and I weren’t financially independent and retired? What if Mrs. Groovy and I were living paycheck to paycheck and each of us were working 50 to 60 hours a week? Would we be okay with an out-of-the-blue $200 expense? Would we be okay with a precious weekend lost to fence repair?
And this is what I love most about being financially independent. It makes it so much easier to be nice.
Absent financial independence, our damaged fence would have been a reason to curse humanity. With financial independence, however, our damaged fence was an opportunity to give a neighbor a break, meet a nice family, and, in the case of Mrs. Groovy, tickle the little feet of an adorable three-week-old named Spencer.
Okay, groovy freedomist, that’s all I got. Let me know what you think when you get a chance. Peace.
Great story there Mr. G. It’s these types of stories that warms the heart and reminds me that there are still good people in this world!
Thank you, Michael. Appreciate it.
Once you have crossed over the FI mile marker and in the majority of situations, you get to write your own life story line going forward based on your genetic tendency. Giving your financial resources away is a part of this genetic tendency. Being useful with your remaining time going forward is yet another area of this genetic endowment. Everything else is a mixture between these two ends of the spectrum.
In other words, beyond FI, you get the option of designing a life consciously!
I salute you. In one little paragraph, you nailed the science of usefulness and meaning. Well done, my friend. Well done.
Spot on, Mr G. Without FI, Freedom For Fido wouldn’t exist. With FI, hundreds of dogs have escaped life on a chain. Interesting analogy…life on a chain, huh?
Couldn’t agree more, my friend. With FI, one man’s blessing is very often another man’s blessing as well. Compound interest begets compound kindness. And no one understands this better than you. Hail FI! Hail FFF!!
You don’t have to be retired/financially independent to have a well-stocked emergency fund. It’s smart to expect bad things to hit your billfold at some rate and allocate funds accordingly. And after the planned-for bad things don’t happen, enjoy a few indulgences.
Well said, Steve. An emergency fund is a great way to protect yourself and flex your kindness muscles.
Now THAT’S Groovy!!!!
You’re making me blush, Mr. G. Thank you.
Way to go Mr Groovy. Lots of times you dont have to look very far from your own backyard or in your case front yard to be a giving person. What a blessing you were to that young family. its my belief that if you have a giving heart then the Lord will present you with the opportunity to express your charity on a regular basis. You cant give if you dont have it to give! Bless you for that and I believe you too will receive when you need it.
“You can’t give if you don’t have to give.”
I love it. Lot of wisdom there, my friend.
A story well told……. thank you. Almost everyone, realising the damage was not intended. Corralling several children to get into the car and ensure they are all belted in, it would not be a surprise to leave a new uncomplaining baby behind!! The family will have financial priorities! The cost of the fence is small……. maybe she will make you a batch of muffins to thank you for your kindness!!
So true, Esther. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Peace.
Having a surplus does broaden the field of available solutions to many problems. Options are sadly out of reach to someone worried about paying for this week’s groceries. You are a good animal, sir, and a good neighbor to have!
“You are a good animal, sir, and a good neighbor to have!”
Haha. I love it. I’ve always said I’m nothing more glorious than a well-manicured ape. And it’s so nice to have someone I greatly respect confirm that assessment. Thank you, sir.
Altruism is a luxury of the rich? 😉
Absolutely not. Altruism is for all—even the sorry people. For me, though, my inclination to be kind increased as my wealth grew. Financial independence made me a better person. And that’s the only point I was trying to make. One of the unintended consequences of financial strength might be a de-grinching of your soul. Peace, my friend.
Totally agree with you. Freedom to do kind deeds, any opportunity that arises is a chance to do well for humanity. Our church just gave a service about extravagant giving. Gives this service annually. Our DAF has sprung a leak! 😉
Time, talents and treasures…..and giving back. All is good.
Keep on Keeping on Groovies! Peace and love to all, Steve
Likewise to you, my friend. Peace.
Well-done you and so true!
Thank you, Sherri.