I came up with an awesome idea a while back when my wife and I took our son to the park! I'd been wanting to find more ways to get involved in the local community, and I found an area where I could contribute while visiting the park.
The park is beautiful, with trees scattered throughout, a flower garden and a small pond filled with colorful fish. But sometimes people leave their trash lying around, and it builds up after time, which takes away from its natural beauty. So I decided to organize a “Trash Pickup Day” at the park for the next Saturday (at least, this was my intention).
I made fliers on my computer and printed them on bright yellow card stock so they’d stand out. I placed them on the bulletin board at the front of the park, at the local Y and on the power poles where everyone puts their yard sale signs.
After three hours of back-breaking trash detail, I had restored the park to its original glory by myself.Well, Saturday came and I headed to the park. When I got there, I couldn’t believe what I saw. I was the only one there to pick up trash. Not one other person had come to help. “The nerve,”
I thought. “All those parents with all those kids that come to this park all the time, and they can’t take a few hours out of one day to help keep the park clean – it’s outrageous!”
I could see Sam’s mom and dad not showing up, since they don’t do anything. But how could little Becky’s parents and Connor’s parents not show up to help? They helped out with everything.
Still, I stayed the course and picked up every single bit of trash. But I must admit I did it with malice in my heart. With every gum wrapper, every drink can, every McDonald’s fry box, I shoved the trash harder and harder into my plastic trash bag. Finally, it was done – the park was clean. After three hours of back-breaking trash detail, I had restored the park to its original glory by myself. I was feeling kinda proud of myself, but man was I ticked at everybody else who didn’t show up.
I got to the house around 4 p.m. that day and told my wife the whole story in the smallest detail. I explained what an awesome husband she had and how irresponsible everyone else was. “Yep,” she said as she handed me an extra flier I hadn’t posted. “You sure are something special.” Wouldn’t you know – after all the hard work, after all the ranting and raving, I had put the following Saturday’s date on the flier. Oops.
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