Never Ever Dull
With every conversation, I always seem to end with "Never a dull moment"....our lives are rich, complex, and beautiful stories. Join me in laughing about everyday things and appreciating life-bumpy roads and all.
You can pick where you live. But you can’t pick your neighbors. Thankfully, I hit the jackpot when it comes to neighbors. Just a few days after moving into my first home as a single mom with four kids, we had a snowstorm. In this part of North Carolina, this translates to some snow mixed with threatening ice. Heavy with ice, a dogwood tree split and the branches landed on the side of my house, blocking off the driveway. My oldest son tried to saw and pull the branches off the roof, but the task was daunting. I remember looking up and seeing an 80-something year old man walking towards us with his saw, some rope, and a bit of a grin. Quietly, he roped the branch, told my boys what to do, and took charge of the situation. It was bitterly cold so we exchanged names, expressed our gratitude, and returned to our homes. His help that day sparked the beginning of a friendship. Mr. Petty became our favorite handyman, landscape consultant, plumber, and electrician. We could chat about everything from daffodils to quartz countertops. Yet, one conversation was a game changer. After learning that I had returned here to be close to my widowed mother, he mentioned that his house-bound wife was from that same small town where I had grown up. Each day, I'd share more about my life and he began to connect the dots. The picture revealed was one only God could create. It turned out that his wife grew up in the same town as I had grown up. My mom taught her when she was in high school. And the kicker? Mrs. Petty introduced my parents to each other…over sixty years ago. The dots connected, our friendship continued with a sweetness of knowing we were meant to be neighbors and friends. I hope to see you again, Mr. Petty.* *Written as Mr. Petty is in a hospital alone fighting cancer during this Covid -19 crisis.
2 Comments
Lynda Welsh
4/27/2020 03:52:39 pm
Hi! I just found your blog and read this...will be praying for your friend. Hope you’ll be able to visit him soon!!
Reply
Amy
4/28/2020 04:59:06 am
Hi, Lynda! Thank you for praying! Yesterday, I received news that he was alert and feeling good. My prayer was that family would be able to be with him and that was answered. Everywhere I go in my home, I remember all the projects we did together. Sweet memories =). I hope he returns home so that I can let him know just how special he is to me.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorFun-loving mom to 4 kids and 1 big puppy. Fifth grade teacher of amazing little people who have never ending things to share with me. Love to discuss Jesus, diy projects, and life. Trying to keep it simple: Love Jesus, love people. Archives
December 2021
Categories |