The Plumber, the Stitches, and My Concern
THE SOUND OF FRUSTRATION
From my recliner in the living room, I could hear the older plumber sighing in our kitchen. He and his partner were here installing a new faucet, and his mumbling under the sink was a little disturbing.
When he came up for air, I decided to do the neighborly thing and check in on him.
And for good reason. Earlier that morning, Jeff mentioned he’d heard that one of the plumbers—an older guy—had smacked his head so hard on a cabinet at an earlier job that he had to be taken to Urgent Care for stitches.
So, naturally, when I saw the two plumbers who came to our house—a younger man and an older one—I was smart enough to connect the dots.
The older man looked weary from the first moment he walked into our house. I was concerned that he had returned to work too quickly after his injury.
He’d been through a lot!
FROM CONCERN TO CONFUSION
So I asked him, “Are you feeling okay?”
He said, “Yes, I’m fine.”
I then asked, “Do you need anything to drink? I’d be glad to get something for you.”
He seemed a bit surprised by my offer, but he politely declined and said again that he was fine.
THE PLOT TWIST
Even though I was refused, I still felt good about my small act of compassion. I later told Jeff that I had checked in on the plumber, making sure he was okay after his rough morning.
Jeff looked at me, amused. “That’s nice,” he said, “but that’s not the guy. The one who cut his head didn’t come here.”
Oh!
That’s when I realized I’d been fussing over the wrong man, someone who had no idea why I was acting so concerned about his well-being. He didn’t know I thought he was the injured plumber.
GET THE STORY RIGHT
In my defense, I wasn’t wrong to be concerned. I was just working from incorrect assumptions.
Isn’t that how it goes sometimes? News is passed along to one person, then another, and somewhere along the way, the facts shift either through miscommunication, misinterpretation, or faulty conclusions.
By the time the last person hears it, the story might be barely recognizable.
I learned a lesson that day: double-check the facts before jumping to conclusions. Ask more questions.
And maybe let the plumbers work in peace.
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Such an amazing story, Lisa, and I’m so grateful you shared it here today. Let’s not jump to conclusions! Blessings!
I loved this! It’s SO much like some things I’ve done because I didn’t have the facts straight. But bless you for showing your concern. I’d have loved to have been a fly on the wall that evening when the older plumber was sharing his day with his wife. 🙂
Yours may not have been the same plumber who hit his head earlier that day, but you were totally right to check on him. Caring people like you make a huge difference!
Lisa, I think we’ve all been there in some way or another. That Plumber now thinks you’re an amazing hospitable client! Lol!
I think caring & compassion always goes a long way no matter if we get it right or not.
Blessings to you, Jennifer
Double-checking is always a good idea of course, but even if he wasn’t the injured person, you noticed he looked weary and he could have appreciated the offer just for that. I know I have before, for example the other day at the dentist’s when they noticed I looked worn out and offered me a glass of mineral water which was so good at that moment 🙂
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Still, best to err on the side of concern rather than the other way around, I think.
It’s true we often react when we don’t have the whole picture or we’re mistaken in some way. But at least this was an example of erring on the side of showing care and offering help–even if it wasn’t needed at the time.
It was still kind of you to show concern. I like what Barbara said–err on the side of showing care.
But yes, fact checking is important, too.
such a good example. I too have jumped too conclusion so quickly and judged thinking I was correct. Oh yes I was sooooo right. even trying to be kind and righteous but ooo so wrong. This is a great example. Thanks for humbly sharing this. You are a good soul…
Either way, when you have an older person doing work in your house it is a kind thing to check on them. (I’m an older person and I approve this message) ????
What a good story – but then, maybe the man needed someone to offer a kindness to him that day – and your misunderstanding enabled that kindness did the job.
As a professional carpet cleaner that goes into people’s homes regularly, it is always so nice when they go the extra mile to ask how I’m doing or offer a drink. We aren’t owed that, but it sure is appreciated!