payments

we were walking, checkin' out the snow
sights and we chatted.

i mentioned someone we knew who shoveled
the same amount of driveways as yo and
his brothers, only he got paid for it.
i mentioned how much money he made.

'i guess i kinda raised you wrong,' i
smiled. 'you coulda been out there makin'
money and i taught you to go out there and
be nice.'

i laughed.
'sorry about that.'

he smiled.
'oh, i'd much rather do it because i cared
about people. if you're gonna be out there
all day shovelin', that's what's gonna keep
you goin'. i wouldn't want to do that for
money.'

what a cool thought.
i hadn't really thought of that.
yeah.
i agree.

our talk turned to this shot for a picture
and what about this one...and we meandered
home.

as we passed one of the houses the guys
dug out, the man who lived there came towards
us. he was walkin' with his cane.
he's due in next week for a knee operation.

he met us at the street, cane in hand
and thanked yo for what he and his brothers
had done. he was really appreciative.

yo was real gracious about it and the man
just kinda stopped, cocked his head and
looked at him.

'i like you.' he said.

just like that.

and then he turned to me and told me i had
some great sons and looked back at yo
and repeated himself.

'i like you.'

what a cool moment.

what a totally cool moment.

i do believe yo just got paid.