Our Park
We have a beautiful park right across the street from our house. It's huge, lots of room to run and play and it's never really ever crowded. My kids are always wanting to go and play at the park and I usually have some excuse why we can't.
The last couple of days I've been feeling pretty good and just wanted to get out of my "regular" routine. Yesterday, my youngest daughter and I took the dog to the park to play. We ran into my neighbor who was walking a friend's dog. She stopped to chat a bit. It was nice conversation. So today, we decided to go back again. (Wow! 2 days in row, that's really changing up the old). I ran into my neighbor again. She's an older woman who lives by herself, right next door to me and we do our casual wave, "hello" to each other. At Christmas time I give little goodies to the neighbors on either side and she always gives something back to the kids. Very sweet. So anyway, we were talking about her dog who got hurt the other day so I was following up the conversation today checking in on the dog. She was a bit upset cause they were talking about doing surgery, so I casually said, "I'll pray everything goes okay." She thanked me and had turned to leave, but then stopped and proceeded to tell me that the day after New Years, her son died. He was only in his early 50's and had a heart attack. I was shocked! I told her how sorry I was, I had no idea. Man, it was heavy. She thanked me again and said she hoped things would get better.
What does all this mean, well nothing other than life is happening all around. I may have never known the pain she has been going through these past few months had I not had a simple conversation with her. What kind of neighbor is that? I don't want to live separate lives from anyone anymore. Especially my neighbors. How am I going to get to know them if I don't make myself available.
So the park is a start. And really, quite fun. The kids love it! The dog loves it! A chance to connect with my neighborhood.... I'll take it!
posted by Tracy @ 4:03 PM
5 Comments:
Tracy,
I love it!!
It is hard when we hear something so tragic. I'm glad you were available for her to say 'it' out loud to someone. I wonder how often she gets to do that? It must be hard to lose someone, have everyone talk about it for the first couple of months surrounding 'it' and then nothing... I think I would want to continue talking. Thank you for listening.
When I think about taking our stuff to the parks this summer, your park always comes to mind first! I hope you continue to go out every day that it's nice. I'm so glad that you connected with your neighbor again today. So glad that you were a listening ear where perhaps there has not been one for a long time...
Tracy, this is such a great post. I have wanted so much to reach out to our neighbors. I am excited about the opportunities that our opening up with my neighbors to fellowship and get closer. I think we are all on the right track here!
you inspire me, girl!
from one who's been "putting off" a "neighborly" chat for awhile!
Thank you all for your wonderful comments. And Beck, it's so good to hear from you. I hope things are going well for you and your famiy. It's so nice to know we can keep in touch through this bloggy thing. I love and appreciate each and every one of you. :)
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