Day 508
Snuggled under my Halloween dog blanket, I joined the neighborhood to watch the Pumpkin Bowl from atop the hill.
On this brisk evening, the adults sat under blankets while the children (all boys tonight) played their own version of football. Eventually, even they succumbed to chairs and blankets.
This gathering has been a tradition for decades. When the lights come on in the field and the marching band heads down the street, we all seem to be pulled towards the field like bees to honey. Tonight, toting chairs, blankets and treats, everyone settled in for a visit and live football from the best seats NOT in the house! Even our young football protegees stopped their game for a moment to gaze at the field.
The Goldens typically make an appearance, but the crowds were huge and the pups looked so cozy on the various couches and dog beds. There were windy moments when the thought of those dogs snuggled in made me slightly envious!
As I sat there watching the "double football entertainment," I recalled others who are no longer with us. Although there might be a melancholy essence, as I scan the crew and miss those not there, I sense a new rhythm and heartbeat not felt in years.
As in any part of life's journey, change is inevitable and healthy. Having been a part of this neighborhood my entire life, I have been witness to those changes. For me, it is like a slow-motion movie as grandparents, parents, children and now grandchildren take their place in the show. As a child, the neighborhood was a generational one with a number of grandparents in the mix. Their wisdom and patience softened the atmosphere and provided a continuum of love. The roles are still intact, except now I am at the other end of the age bracket!
Although the neighborhood has ebbed and flowed over the years, it has always had family and caring at its core. I could almost feel my grandma and dad smiling over my shoulder and nodding with approval as we watched our little guys embrace joy and a love for life!
We "elders" all know how fortunate we are to live on Christian Hill. Our young ones are experiencing the richness found here and will eventually realize the gift of community...where every child is the responsibility of the entire neighborhood and people matter..really matter.
It's a place where we feel safe, loved and cared for. We even know the names of all the dogs who live here. Now, if that isn't a sign of a great place to live, I don't know what is! So here's to Christian Hill..the only place I have ever called home!
