When counting my blessings, my neighbors are usually right up there on the list.
We kind of joke about them (a lot) because the average age in our little neighborhood is around 65 (it used to be 68 until we had The King, that helped pull the average down a bit). And as often as we have wondered if it would be better for our kids to live around other kids, we know deep in our hearts how blessed we are to live where we do.
How blessed we are to have lovely, kind, thoughtful people surrounding us day in and day out.
I am so grateful to live in such a happy, quiet place.
We don't have that "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality around here ... especially since the Jones Family moved out!!! ;) (that was for you Chanelle - we'd take you back in a heartbeat if we had the chance)
We don't have drama.
We don't have fueds.
We just have a happy place to live, and we have been so grateful for that ever since we moved into our home, almost 10 years ago (this month).
And I guess my heart is very tender toward them more recently as I have seen them go through great challenges of late. Some have passed away, leaving sweet widows. Some are battling illness, some are fighting for their lives. Some of them have hearts that are breaking. I can't explain why so much of this has hit all at once, but I am so blessed to see their courage in taking it all on. I am so blessed to sit with a new widow and cry with her. I am so blessed to see the dignity with which one battles a devastating diagnosis. I am so blessed to see the grace with which one accepts the lot given, and continues on despite it all.
And now, I have the opportunity to use what I have learned from their great examples and be the kind of good neighbor and friend and support they need as they face these challenges.
I have such a great love for the incredible people that literally (physically) surround me every single day of my life. I am so grateful for the circumstances that brought us to this home.
Basically, as I look out my front window, my heart is full.
7 comments:
I love your neighbors too!
Thanks, Jennie. I'm glad I'd be accepted ~ that's even better than being envied ;) I loved that neighborhood as well. And your kids get other kids all day at school. It's great that they get to associate with a different generation while at home. So many kids are missing that these days.
Oops! I know you are a "Jenny" and not a "Jennie." Sorry!
I am so jealous...You have fantastic people all around you!
We too live in an older neighborhood with pretty much no kids. It has it's challenges for sure, but the nice quiet, safe part is a plus for sure. Plus, it sure provides a lot of opportunity for my son to do service and to have at least a half dozen sets of grandparents:)
Few things are as wonderful as good neighbors! I'm glad you have such a wonderful neighborhood!
That is so awesome... I agree with the other commentor... makes me love your neighbors too!!!
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