I fear we’ve begun a trend. He had been warned with John’s gift that not everyone was going to come to his door with presents in gratitude–but this is simply too sweet!
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t catalog his gifts but this is more than our neighbors being neighborly. I think it’s a shift in the tide for which I’m deeply thankful. Part of why we moved to this little piece of paradise, was to give our child a sense of community. So he could know his neighbors and have memories of living on a street full of people who care about him. Idealistic? Sure. But a parent can dream!
I’m cataloging this climate change, because for a long time, some of the retirees around us weren’t too sure about how they felt having a family on the block. I think they were relieved we only had one kid, to be honest. Not that any of this was said to us directly. But, there was a definite “coolness” to our arrival. It’s just not a “howdy neighbor” street. Or at least, parts of it are not.
And the parts that didn’t really want us here are thawing… no, downright warming. I have to give credit to the boy. His enthusiasm is undeniably contagious. Today, he received a lovely little field guide on the birds of Oregon—which was obviously bought for him down at our local independent bookstore, Lucy’s. How thoughtful!
Here’s the thing… it’s not the gift itself. It’s that they thought about this little boy and acted! Just like he thought about them, and acted. For me, this little exchange has a decidedly spiritual aspect to it, so you’ll pardon me here if you don’t agree. But that “do unto others” thing has merit. And considering the complete rendering asunder of that ideal in our current world, it’s nice to see it in action on my little street.
WOW. This is awesome. And I totally agree that it’s the thought… imagining this person in Lucy’s thinking and responding to BW’s kindness.
I met to say in the other post… the gift boxes were stunning! And your photography too! A feast for the eyes!
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It was really nice! 😀 And I saw you playing hooky at The Blue Scorcher today! 😀 ~W
Ditto Monica’s “awesome”! People in general don’t seem to be very thoughtful anymore and I think that is sad. So it is truly wonderful to know that he is making a difference in his little corner of the world. He is an inspiration to me :D. Seriously. No snark at all. I promise.
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I think we live really busy and insulated lives… anything we can do to make connections is a good things. It’s proof that a little gesture can go so very far! ~W
Is John the snow scrooge? How wonderful, both going (cookies in bright boxes) and coming ( a field guide! with a wren card!) Isn’t life rich and grand? Good neighbors are a very good thing to have.
Coming by after several days, these past few posts have been a breathe of fresh air to read. Thank you!
Now- when will Thrifty Goodness be open for business? Before or after the charming BW finishes his final essay copy? He is awfully charming, Wende and so are you.
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No, John is actually my lovely neighbor who still has my tree in his amazing back yard. (Long story, stupid insurance!) Anyhow, he’s really very nice. He just doesn’t use a lot of words. And my chatty boy equates words with LOVE! 😀 Wonder where he gets that idea. As for Thrifty Goodness…My man is promising SOON. And if he can’t get to it this weekend, I’m headed over to etsy. I’ve not done that, in part, because some of my stuff can’t be sold on etsy and it seemed like a lot of work to do for only part of my inventory. :D But… SOON! ~W
So- rock on!
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I shall! You too! 😀 ~W
That is utterly wonderful. I think as a older person with almost grown kids(sniff), I would be concerned about a younger family moving in. (until I got to know them especially)I’m glad that you all are finding your way.
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Oh, exactly. While I don’t necessarily hold the position they do, I get that this is their retirement! And in some cases, they’ve been waiting their whole life to move here—so, having noisy kids in the neighborhood wasn’t in their dreams over the years of what retirement would look like. Half of the street told us personally that they were happy to have kid sounds on the street–the other half wasn’t so, um, inviting. It’s taken some time to convince them it’s a good thing. However, I suspect we’ve turned out to be different than their expectations. That’s a good thing! 😀 ~W
How wonderful! When my mom decided to move to a new house, one closer to town, leaving the house we grew up in and lived here since we moved here, it was really hard for her to leave her neighbors…she was super sad because they’d all watched out for each other over the years…although, their new neighbors are fun now too…with 2 wonderful little ones that play a lot at my mom’s new house! I wish I had neighbors like that.
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Yeah, I’m hoping that becomes the case here. We’re not social together, but that’s OK. There’s more than one way to be good neighbors. I do like living here, as I know there is always someone home through the day—and because we’re all so nosy, we don’t worry so much. Sometimes, I wish there were more kids here, but it’s nice to have a different generation to relate with too, so… it’s all good! ~W
Your values are most likely the same values that they once held dear when they were raising their families. Kudos to your family for building the community which is so desperately needed in our world.
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Oh, thanks Michelle! We’re trying. 😀 ~W
Not playing hookie… it was playing Leaving The Hubbie’s To Wait In Line For A Table For 30 Minutes While We (Karen and I) Look At Her Fabric Swatches In Her Van. I thought for SURE you were going to stop and join us. Bummed you kept driving off into the literal sunset. :o( The new Fort George Brewery is out of this world!
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Ahh… we were just coming home from a movie and getting Japanese food. I didn’t even realize the Brewery was opened! Thanks for the tip! 😀 ~W
Ahhhhh…. I am smiling. I am sort of one of those “happy-go-lucky”, “I-love-you-because-you-are-here”, kind of people … and I tend to really iritate my neighbors and others with my want to really connect with people on a soulful level …. (but it never keeps me from trying). So, I was very warmed by this story. It gives me hope that others are parenting & supporting a new generation of kids who recognize that we are all here for one another (if not, why else?). I am so glad that his good karma was rewarded externally (no doubt there were internal, spiritual rewards from the start). I look forward to more of his kindnesses.
Love,
Jodi
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Your description fits BW too… he’s big on community. He’s already planning his next move. Lord help me, tho! We’re eating his baking too, and growing wider by the mouthful! ~W
Ya just never know. Did you ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? John could almost be like Boo Radley. 🙂 Ok, that was random. Anyway, I’m sure that book will be worn out and the knowledge crammed into BW’s head. How cool. Hey, we have cool birds here. Cardinals, Indigo Buntings, several different woodpeckers, Fox sparrows…the list grows and now we’re getting the spring birdies. I love looking at them. 🙂
ps…I read in Monica’s comment about the brewery…note to self, hit the brewery with good friends this summer. 🙂
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Ah yes, the brewery. As I understand it, it has some pretty decent burgers! ~W
I still try to be as neighborly as possible. When our new neighbors moved in, I baked cookies. Just for them. I took them over, thinking that at least they’d know we aren’t college kids that are going to party all night, but did they appreciate them?
No.
They looked at me like I had two heads and took the cookies and basically shut the door in my face.
Long story short, you have a handsome boy and I’m glad your neighbors are realizing what a great family you are.
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Thank you! We’re working on it! ~W
These two posts of the good neighbor behaivor is just about the greatest thing I have ever heard. BW shows such initiative that I am gobsmacked.
I am not begging for cookies but I sure wish we had a fellow like that in our neighborhood as i would love for Jake to have a friend like that.
Hurray for him and to you for being his mom.
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He’s full of ideas, that’s for sure! It’s any wonder we can keep up! Thanks for the feedback… here’s to Jake finding a friend like that! ~W