Thursday, August 21, 2008

Being Neighborly

We bought our house 12 years ago. We have wonderful neighbors. There has never been a problem with any of our neighbors. The only issue I can recall is one neighbor had a dog that would chase our cars down the road. I was always afraid of hitting it.

We have neighbors on one side that are retired and just the loveliest people. The gentleman is a retired minister and years ago when my grandmother died I asked him to do the service for us. They are so friendly and the kind of neighbors everyone hopes for. Across the street we had two other wonderful neighbors, Jack and Kay. They both were retired. Sadly both Jack, then Kay, passed away this past year.

I'm bringing it up because every year at this time Jack would get so much pleasure out of teasing me. He would remind me that summer was over and it was time to go back to school. One year he said he wanted to put signs up in the neighborhood that said, "Ha, Ha! Dawn has to go back to school!". He told me Kay wouldn't let him. :) I loved his sense of humor. He always made me smile. Their house has since sold and I've meet the new neighbors (though this isn't their primary home) and they are very nice as well.

I have a sense of sadness as I get myself ready to head back to school these next couple of weeks. I miss Jack's bantering back and forth with me. Remembering him, though, makes me smile!

take care,
Dawn

13 comments:

Darlene said...

That is sooo sweet. I give my neighbor a hard time too...she is a friend, but also a first grade teacher at Lexi's school. We give her a lot of grief over the whole starting school thing.

Isn't it great to have wonderful neighbors? I can't imagine not. We had our house up for sale several years ago and when someone was getting interested in it I almost panicked because I couldn't leave my spot...my great neighbors, our lovely place. We stayed and I am so glad we did cause you never know what you might get with a neighbor.

Great post that made me smile.

Anonymous said...

I understand your feelings of sadness. I would feel exactly the same way. Time marches on, and as it does, perhaps the happy memories will override the sadness. D~~~~

Unknown said...

Hi Dawn,
I have a very similar situation here. We had neighbors across the street that we always talked to alot.

One day I came home from school and there were lots of cars at their home. It seems that he had had a
heart attack early that morning at work and didn't make it.

Your post makes me sad cause it reminds me of him. We still talk to his wife some, but it isn't the same.

I know my husband missed him cause they both loved being outside cutting grass, washing cars, etc!
It is nice to have good neighbors!
Hope your day is wonderful,
Diane

Anonymous said...

Ah, I think Jack just may be sitting on your shoulder.

Oh, and an fyi. I believe Kings sit on thrones.

Anonymous said...

Dawn, It is sad to lose a friend. Life seems so much shorter when we face morality. Remember the good times, he isn't gone, if you remember him.

Love Jeanne

Tracy said...

Hi, Dawn! Oh, yes, Jack is right there with you, especially now as you get ready to go back to school ;o) Such sweet memories to take down from the shelf of your mind, dust them off, recall, then put them back for another time--when you need them again. So wonderful to have such good neighbors as that. We all need some Jacks and Kays in our lives. We are lucky to be surrounded on both side by two retired couples, friendly folks who always have time for a word over the fence! Happy Day remebering Jack and smiling :o) ((HUGS))

Marina Capano said...

Hi Dawn: Remember the good times.
huggs!

Marina

SmilingSally said...

A pastor of mine said that if you have wonderful neighbors, you are probably a wonderful person. Hmmm.

Nola said...

Isn't it great that you have such lovely memories of your neighbor? Sometimes it's the simple little everyday things that people remember about us.

Cottage Rose said...

Dawn what a beautiful memory to keep in your heart. I am sure he is smiling down on you and thinking.

Ha Ha Dawn has to go back to School.


Hugs; and love

Alaura

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Good neighbors are priceless. There is nothing worse than having a bad neighbor.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn! Oh, how wonderful that you do have such sweet memories of your neighbors and I hope you realize how blessed you are to know your neighbors! So many people now days are too busy and don't want to take the time to get to know you. I hope all is going well as you do get ready to go back to school!!

Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Aw...as a fellow teacher who also gets that same kind of banter, I am touched by this story. You should get a little "Jack" angel to keep at school with a little sign on it, "Ha Ha, she's back at school." I bet he'd smile down at that. :-)
~Angel