The Class & The Consultation

The next few weeks were very busy…my son was getting married to a wonderful girl that we had known and loved for many years. Shortly after the wedding, I was scheduled to teach a class on Herbal Medicine. A day or two before the class, the gentleman called to reserve a place. He asked a few questions, chatted for a bit and said good-bye. I had to wonder what I could teach him that he already didn’t know with his amount of training.

The gentleman arrived early and reminded me that he had requested some help with a particular health issue on his first visit to the farm. Ever had that sinking feeling when you know you have forgotten to do something for someone? I felt terrible…I had completely forgotten.  I immediately made myself a note to do that and apologized for my forgetfulness.

He mentioned that he had tried to call a couple of times but didn’t get an answer. Probably so…we were in the middle of wedding frenzy and I never check my “call list”. I figure if it is important you will call back or leave a message.

The class was fun and busy with great students and lots of questions….but not too many from the gentleman.  He left shortly after the class was over.

The next day I got busy doing some research and spent several hours going through books and making notes.  It was a health issue I had not dealt with before.  I love those!  It expands my knowledge base and gives me a reason to pour through my books…something that is too easy to neglect in a busy life.

I put my all of my notes on several large index cards. I knew that I would be seeing him at a bible study the next week and thought I could pass them along at that time, which is exactly what happened. The gentleman called the next day asking for some help understanding my notes.  He also had some questions.  Again, he asked to visit the farm to go over those things.

I said yes and we made an appointment.  I went through all of my notes, explained my scribbles (anyone else have terrible handwriting?), made suggestions and spent about 3 or 4 hours sharing my research and thoughts. I suggested he order some herbs to tincture and to put into capsules and he agreed. He asked thought provoking questions, paid close attention, chit chatted a wee bit and seemed to understand everything the books suggested.  At the end, he slipped some money onto the table. I handed it back.  He explained that I had just spent three hours teaching him besides the time researching this issue. He also explained that my time had value and he would not take advantage of me nor would he feel free to return for help if  he needed it. He threatened to have a “prayer meeting” if I would not accept compensation for my time.

He then said his good-byes with a “Thank you ma’am”. A phrase common in this older southern gentleman’s speech.

A few days later there was another call, asking if once the herbs arrived, I might help him work up the tinctures so he would get the experience and know that things were done right. I suggested that he had learned that skill in class but he felt like if I helped him one time he would be much more confident in doing this in the future.

Hhmmm….I think it was at this point I began to be just a wee bit suspicious that this gentleman might be interested in more than herbs….

At the next meeting I discovered that my suspicions were very well founded…