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Every Day is Precious: A fun way to clean someone else's toilet
By ROB PAYNE
For Williamson A.M.
Nancy came to our house and said the neighborhood Bunko group wanted to donate their ''pot'' to pay for a day of housecleaning for us. I had no idea what a Bunko was, that there was one in our neighborhood or even how to spell it. But I did know that dust bunnies were taking over the house, and this was another example of our neighbors wanting to show their love and concern for our family situation, so I said ''great.'' When I asked Nancy what Bunko is, she said, ''Oh, it's a game, but that really doesn't matter. It's just an excuse for us women to get together and catch up, without our husbands around.'' Maybe I'm too nosy, but that wasn't enough for me. According to www.homestead.com/bunko/: ''Bunko is a dice game played with three dice. Players play in teams of two to roll a particular number on the dice. Rolling one of that number equals one point, and two of that number equals two points. Rolling three of a kind is called a BUNKO and is worth twenty-one points.'' So, there is a real game, there are rules, this is something my male, analytical mind can grasp. And besides, it chases off our dust bunnies. As a conscientious columnist, now knowing that I would be able to understand it, I wanted to go to one of these Bunko group meetings and see where love was born. Nancy hesitantly told me when and where the next meeting would be and our 14-year-old son, Matt, ''volunteered'' to watch Marcy while I went three doors down for the meeting. I realized right away that Nancy hadn't mentioned my coming to any of the other group members. As each saw me and said, ''Hello,'' there was a little question mark in her eyes. I quickly explained I was here not for play, but for observation. Many of them then warned, ''I better not see anything I say tonight in the paper tomorrow.'' So sworn to secrecy (they know where I live), I can't divulge what was said. But I can reveal there was lots of good food, a little alcohol and much conversation shared. I learned a little about neighbors who weren't at the meeting, but a lot about the neighbors who were at the meeting who's moving in, who's moving out, who's having what trouble with their house. Mostly, I learned what I already knew my neighbors have big hearts. Their love extends way beyond the walls of their own homes and beyond the boundaries of our neighborhood. Eventually they got around to playing Pokeno. That's right, the Bunko group didn't even play Bunko. When Nancy said the game isn't important, she means it. What is important is the laughter and love that's served every month. If you know a family in need, consider starting a group or asking your group to fund a housecleaner visit once or twice a month. If they are blessed as we are, they will learn that this kind of cleaning has a lot of home behind the tangible benefit of a clean house.
Every Day Is Precious is a column to remind us to treat everyone we see today as if it could be the last time we see them. It is written by Rob Payne, whose wife, Marcy, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in August 2000. Now 40 years old, she has gone from winning 5 and 10K races to being quadriplegic and on a ventilator at home. For more ways to help others, to find more about Marcy, or to receive email updates on her condition, visit www.everydayisprecious.com. Readers may contribute to her care by sending donations to Every Day Is Precious, 2051 Harvington Drive, Franklin, TN 37069. If you have helped someone without being asked, or know of someone who has, share it with others. Send to rob@everydayisprecious.com or to Every Day Is Precious, 2051 Harvington Drive, Franklin, TN 37069.
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