Day 535
We started out our day with the usual three walks...Sam, Gus and finally our seniors. Often, we run into people we know, but today was serendipitous. A mother and daughter greeted us and came across the street to connect. It turned out that the mom of the duo was the daughter of a neighbor from years ago. We caught up on some news and then I discovered my neighbor from the past had just undergone hip surgery. I was able to reach out and send a virtual hug.
The chances of an unexpected meeting on a Golden walk was only surpassed by my neighbor's recent surgery. I was so happy to reconnect and feel the warmth of that friendship from years ago.
As I continued on my next walk, I decided my neighborhood has gone through three phases in my sojourn here. First, being a child with all the neighborly love and support a child could ask for. Next, the years when I was a young adult raising my own children. Finally, being on the Senior end of our dear Christian Hill and enjoying an entire new group of amazing neighbors.
Going back to the middle years, our dear friends, Steve and Ruth Ann, offered a solid base and wisdom for those of us bringing up young families. During our annual Progressive Dinner, we would always end the evening at Steve and Ruth Ann's home for dessert and a toast. Steve would raise his glass and say the most heart-warming words...often leaving most of the guests with tears in their eyes. Oh! Those were great days with amazing people.
It occurred to me that I am now one of the senior members of this ever-changing 'family of friends'. People come and go, but their essence remains to keep this incredible neighborhood a gift to those of us lucky enough to belong.
Nothing much has really changed in my 'ALMOST' 70 years living on Christian Hill. The parents and grandparents still nurture, the children learn about life surrounded by love and the entire group adds their special gifts to make it such a great place to live. We know how lucky we are and how rare this precious neighborhood is...and always has been.
