Relative Something

How do you thank someone for thanking you? Some things rise beyond words. You reach a level that is ethereal. Especially when it is between really special people. Even more so when those people are your next-door neighbors. Cyndie and I are lucky to enjoy the blessing of living next door to two really great families. On Easter Sunday, Elysa and Cyndie snuck next door and placed some baskets of goodies as a surprise treat for the Skattum kids. On Saturday, the kids delivered their response in the form of still-warm, fresh-baked banana bread (with chocolate chunks!), accompanied by their priceless artwork.

We cut into it immediately for a pre-dinner indulgence. Then I had some more for dessert. It was the first thing we ate the next morning for breakfast. What a treat!!

Yesterday, with all that sunshine raining down on us, we took on a number of outdoor chores. With the variety of usual tasks demanding attention, there was really no reason for us to invent a new one. But inspiration doesn’t really follow reason. Cyndie commented about a large rock that was lying mostly out of sight among some of our trees and bushes. Suddenly, I find that we have left all other projects behind to try to dig up this rock. This spontaneous endeavor was on the fringe of even being possible, but there we were, scheming away with improvised tools and methods.

About this time, in stepped our wonderful neighbor, John Lawton, to offer a hand, a plan, and a better prying tool. Without a moment’s hesitation, John joined our rudderless effort, offering his help, regardless our not knowing where we were going with this boulder. The extreme difficulty in moving it helped to determine where we would ultimately place it. As short a distance necessary to move from out of sight to a very decorative spot on the edge of the trees.

Our simple thanks seem entirely inadequate. Good neighbors are a true blessing and we have been richly blessed.