Small kindnesses

The Whomptons moved into our home 13 years ago in March.  We were 23 then and we fully recognized that we had selected a neighborhood with older residents.  They all had children in college (or older) and most had retired from their primary employer.  Eric and I assumed the current residents would soon move out or move away and we’d have new families – new younger families like us -- as neighbors.  As a result, we were initially dismissive of our neighbors because they did not match up with our “ideal neighbor” image. 

I’m embarrassed by how mean-spirited our mentality was -- 23 year old Whomptons were not very kind or empathetic, clearly.  What’s obvious to us now is that life does not shut down at retirement and many folks do not leave their homes as soon as they get older.  We were so idiotic then.  And what’s abundantly obvious to us now is that our neighbors are amazingly awesome and we don’t want them to leave.  Like ever.  Unfortunately, a lot of this is out of our control.  Our neighbors are in their 70’s with various health problems and their bodies are slowly betraying them; like all folks, they have their pride and do not want to be a burden on others.  The Whomptons don’t have the capacity to change this reality, however, we can make small differences in making life easier for them.

So, each time it snows, we shovel their driveways, front walk, and the space in front of their mailboxes.  We have to suit up and shovel our own driveway, so it’s not too much extra effort for us to shovel two more.  If it snows badly enough, school gets cancelled for us, so we have more time to shovel; also, we have plenty of folks to help with three adults and two kids.  (A few years back, we bought snow shovels for each child.  That was a worthy investment.) 

On our end, it seems like such a small kindness to offer; even so, our neighbors are overwhelmingly grateful each time.  One neighbor is particularly astounded that we shovel her drive and she keeps asking “How can I thank you?  You won’t let me do anything for you!”  She said effectively this same thing to Samantha and me this weekend when I told her it was going to snow and we would take care of it for her.  My honest response left us both in tears:  “You repay us so much in friendship.  And this little thing means you get to stay here and be our neighbor for longer.  So you can count on us to shovel your walk, driveway, and the path in front of your mailbox for a long time to come.”

Saturday night and again Sunday morning, Samantha and I suited up and started shoveling.  Five minutes later, Lola popped out in her snow pants and boots, grabbed a shovel, and got to work.  Because everybody helps, and we’re all better when we work together and look out for one another.  That's what having a community is all about, and we're grateful to be a part.