I was raking leaves in our front yard today.

They were up to my chin, and the neighbors were getting restless.

My leafy-awesome yard was giving their sweet little greens.... some crazy ideas.

I figured it was time.

So while Mae took a snooze, The Robs, The Erik and I took

the leaves.

Did I mention it was windy?

About ten minutes later it was just me versus the leaves.

Everything was good... Everything was grand... I was focusing on one square foot of leaves at a time-

...and then my neighbor's lawn care service pulled up.

Their Professional Lawn Care Service...

Magic... Choreography... call it what you want.

All I know is Alanis Morissette popped into my head, singing about traffic jams and such.

I was also stooped in a most vulnerable position,

attempting to bag a pile of uncooperative leaves.

By myself.

On a windy day.

Barefoot.

Uphill.

In the snow.

Ever tried it?

I stood up as they parked the truck.

And then the rest happened so fast.

Someone said something like, "Go take a break, "I've got it."

And then I blinked.

And then the yard was clear of leaves, and I had a fresh limonada in my hand.

(kidding about the limonada, but I would have been okay with it.)

And then I resisted the urge to hug them... (everyone was sweaty)

But I did thank them profoundly. And profusely. And perpetually.

Because in a whopping ten minutes they did what I would have finished next Wednesday.

It was a miracle.

A lawn care miracle.

Robs, Erik and I celebrated afterwards.

In space. With a big box rocket, and tin foil helmets.

(For the record, that was the best embarrassing situation I've ever had. So far.)