The Power of Kindness and a Cookie!

Over the past few days we have had some issues with our landlord. We were given a letter stating that we needed to pay our balance of missing rent or vacate in 3 days. The reason for this balance was because we are on housing assistance and they are suppose to pay a portion of our rent each month, since January. They apparently have not been, though they were suppose to, and we were under the impression that they were. We had no word from our landlord about the problem until now either. The last we heard was the two companies had connected and all was well.

So, we went ahead with life as if our rent was being paid in full – no word otherwise. So when we got this letter of course we called on it and tried to take care of the problem. There were some technical errors (not ours) on the part of housing assistance and the landlord. Meanwhile, as a result, our rental history with the apartment’s account will show we have paid late for 3 months. We have perfect credit/rental history and always have. We were upset.

Anyhow, we kept talking with the manager, she went down and spoke with housing and they worked some things out. Meanwhile, during this process our manager was extremely rude to us. Charles talked with her first about some things/issues and he was very polite about it (I heard him). Then when he got off the phone with her he was so mad because she was so rude and would not help us change certain things like late fees and our rental history with them. Over the course of a few days of speaking with them I called a few times, and yesterday I called to ask for a written note stating what was going on right now, which is the housing will pay in full next week (none of this has been our fault). I wanted something to replace the 3 day vacate notice for our file.

I was nice and friendly and the lady said, “I have spent enough time on you and your husband.” She then listed all the things she was so “kind” to do for us (her job). She said she would not write a letter for me nor sign her name on anything for us and she basically told me, “Have a nice day!” Well, I did not take well to her tone nor her attitude towards me. I am always kind and I believe easy to work with.

I have also been an apartment manager for 4 years. I felt when problems arose I at least tried to be gentle and kind when tenants had troubles. I was just flabbergasted at her rudeness towards me. When I hung up the phone, much like Charles, I was so angry and offended. I even started to cry, not out of sadness, but anger (I am pregnant). The first thing I did was look up the number for her boss whom I was going to inform of her behavior and our situation. He was not available. So I sat at my desk and I thought and cried. Our rental history and some finacial issues were at stake.

What should I do? The last thing I wanted was for our manager to hate us and hate dealing with us. So, I prayed for help to resolve the problem with her and with our rental issues. My answer was very clear. “Go buy her a cookie.” I though I was crazy, “Say what?” again I was impressed, “Go, buy her a cookie, the big one from Albertsons – do it NOW!” So, I had but a few minutes before closing time, and I had to hurry.

I told the kids to hurry and get dressed and we scurried around getting ready and headed off to Albertsons for their special huge frosted cookie (which is more like a cake). I got the cookie and it seemed like the lines were taking forever, I even had to switch lines. I had both kids and a big cookie in my hands, and the kids both had cookies from the bakery (which we had to stop for). I just wanted to get in and out. Then I got in the car and I sped over to the apartment complex which the stinker manager worked at. I made it on time – she was still there.

This lady has never meet me before, she has spoken with Charles but not me. I wanted her to see me and the kids so she could know who she was speaking with in such rudeness. So, in I go with my two kids, pregnant and cookie in hand. Iwas very unsure about what I was going to say or do. I said, “Are you Dana?” she said, “Yes”. I then told her I was Mari and I was there because I felt like she was in need of a cookie. She looked at me like I was crazy. I think she was waiting for a catch, or for me to lash out irrationally. But I did not. I was there to give her a cookie.

She then went on to speak with me calmly and kindly. She said she would try to clear our history, which is some computer problem, and she would see what she could do about the late fees. She was very polite and nice. She was also pregnant and has two other kids. I think she was just really shocked that I had the guts to come in there after our last phone conversation. She was SO rude. I have NEVER been treated so badly. We are her customers; she is there to help us, that is her job. People seem to hate to do what their job entails now-a-days and the customers gets jipped! She seemed to realize I was a person with a life. I expressed to her that I realize that this is her job, but to us it is our lives and our home. We cleared things up and I think she may even be nice to me from now on. : )

Anyhow, what was a very stressful, lame, and irritating situation turned out for the best because I could see clearly and ask myself truly, What would Jesus do? My answer was clear and simple, “Do not fight against your enemy, turn your cheek, bury your sword, and go give your enemy a cookie!” I am so glad I did. I will try and be more Christ-like in all of my dealings with my fellowman. Sometimes, the anger takes over and you find yourself feeling the feelings of the world, the feelings that would rip the world apart if everyone reacts instead of acts. I have been taught a most valuable lesson, and for that, I am grateful for our unfortunate circumstance. Sometimes it is those trials that teach us the most valuable lessons. : )

Sorry it was so long, it took a lot of explaining!

I love you all!

Love, ME