The kids, shrieking, circle around us as we stand in the driveway. My neighbor hands me a bunch of chard from her garden. An edible bouquet.
That one act of kindness is such a gift. It's been one of THOSE days. The frustration is written all over my face.
"Must be something in the air…" she says running after her little one as he sprints down the road.
I call out an inadequate thanks, round up my banshees and go inside to look up chard recipes on the internet.
I feel my shoulders relax a little bit.
It's good to be reminded, when the waters get a little rough, that there's other folks in the same boat.
Thank you, neighbor.
***************************
A note from our sponsor, Beebee Mod: There's a big sale going on now through the 15th, 25% off everything! So if you've got some summer sewing to do, or birthday parties on the horizon, here's your chance to get some great stuff at a big savings. Just use the code "Big One." at checkout.
{ 26 comments }
It looks like it might just beyoung enough chard to taste salty good just as it is without even cooking!
hang in there.
Nothing is more helpful in getting me through the day than a reminder that I am not the only one. Other people out there ARE in the same boat. I just wish that one of us knew where it was going.
Well amen to that! Where IS this bloody boat headed anyway???
I feel ya… I cried on several shoulders yesterday, it was rough. I’m having to be reminded that I’m not the only one…
sometimes, SOMETIMES i start to feel that every day is one of THOSE days. i’m glad to have company in this crazy boat….
Is there something going around (besides swine flu, that is!)? We’re having one of THOSE days, too!
Jamie
Yesterday my neighbor brought me a huge handful of gorgeous blue columbine. There’s nothing like a good neighbor.
oh yes… i too JUST shared about “one of those days!” my husband reminds me-” the sweet would not be as sweet without the bitter!” …indeed!
A good neighbor is a wonderful thing to have… a lucky thing to have. (Can you tell I have one not so good neighbor?)
And I was worried that I was the only one who found joy when I saw other parents’ misery… it has always made me feel a little guilty that the first thing I think when I see someone else’s kid freaking out at the grocery store is “Thank Goodness!”. Then of course, I always send good vibes and wishes for patience, a glass of wine, and a good night’s sleep for them as well. Enjoy your chard… I always like it in quiche… how lovely would that be with your fresh eggs?
Ooooh Grace… so sorry about the one not so good neighbor. We have the same situation… big scary dogs and hot tub parties with music or t.v. blasting at the kids bedtime! Hopefully you have some other good neighbors to make up for the not so good one… luckily we do!
oh the kindness of neighbors. tad jealous.
I wonder how many of my neighbors could use an act of kindness? Makes me want to go be neighborly!
So sweet of you to think of others! We all have days like this, really the best medicine is showing service to others, even though it seems so hard at the time.
Oh hon, I’m sorry. And does it not seem to you that “those days” tend to linger. I swear I’ve had a string of ‘em. It would be funny if it weren’t so NOT funny.
Say, does this ship have a bar? A pool deck maybe? Do they fold your towels into the shape of a swan on the good ship Wish I’d Stayed In Bed Today?
No, no I didn’t think so.
Oh lordy! Don’t even get me started on the swine flu.
My kid actually ran his TONGUE down the handrail at the Bureau of Vital Statistics today. Smart, right?
What to you see what our other neighbors gave us!
I never would have said that we had a particularly friendly neighborhood. Folks kinda keep mostly to themselves, but in the last week we’ve been SO blessed by our neighbors.
I need to make it a point to pay it forward….
wise man.
Are you sure he’s not a reincarnated granny, cuz that sure sounds like a grannyism
You know what? I often wonder what our neighbors must have thought of us when we were newly weds with our barking dogs and hot tub parties! We didn’t have any young kids living nearby, but I shutter to think how many too late nights we must have caused our older neighbors.
Your neighbors will likely be so ashamed of themselves one day.
Ha! That’s just what we did with it. When all else fails, we always turn to quiche
And yes… it’s funny because I used to look at those moms of screaming kids and think, “My kids will NEVER!” and then I actually HAD children and now I just want to hug those poor moms and tell them “this too shall pass.”
Well… just so you know, we’ve got a few fruitcakes in the mix too
Amen to that. There’s nothing like giving to make you realize how much you hold.
Thanks ladies, for helping me keep that in mind!
your photos are often amazing and inspiring- that chard looks so beautiful! (i have often wanted to photograph the red and green kind- maybe i’ll have to now)
Comments on this entry are closed.