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Blog Entry 42 of 68 The Write Words
I hope to write about anything and everything that comes into my mind, as long as it is in good taste. I hope to communicate effectively and stimulate thought and conversation. I can't wait to get started!

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~ErinsBlog

Trying to love my neighbor

Contributed by: Erin Di Paolo   on 5/1/2007

I have to admit, I stink at being a good neighbor. A lot of it is selfishness; I have my own life to think about and all that entails. I have a husband, three children, and two jobs. In other words, like everyone else, my plate is loaded. The last thing I usually think about is the people who live on my street.

Last night was no different than usual. I was swamped with writing, emails, running errands, doing chores. So when our new next door neighbors rang the doorbell, I looked out to see who it was, and then ignored the ringing. The next thing I knew, the children were playing basketball in my driveway.

My initial reaction was anger. After all, how dare these kids just help themselves to our portable basketball hoop? Who did they think they were? No wonder our world is so messed up, I thought, when people just help themselves to other peoples' things. Only last week my sons' bikes were stolen and they were INSIDE our gate. I was so irritated, I could have spit.

Since I was about to leave the house to pick up my son, I determined in my heart what I would say to those kids when I left, if they were still in my driveway. Boy, would I let them have it, set them straight. When I left, they were back at their house, sitting on the porch eating popsicles. When they saw me, their eyes grew as big as saucers. They just stared at me. Caught red handed, they were!

When we returned home, the oldest, a boy, approached me. In the nicest, most respectful voice I have heard from a youngster in a while (and I work at a school), he asked if it would be okay if he played basketball in my driveway. I hesitated, and then said, yes, it would be fine. But I warned him to avoid my husband's truck with the ball. And I told him that, in the future, he needs to ask first before he plays at my house, that it is not appropriate to just do it without permission. He said a respectful okay, and then was off to the races.

My kids commented on how nice he seemed. I agreed. Moments earlier, I had been ready to rip his head off. Now I had softened a bit. I had learned one more lesson, albeit the hard way. I had been reminded, again, that we are all human (even teenagers) and sometimes all we need is a friendly smile and a gentle yes to what we need at the time.

I hope our neighbor will be a regular on our basketball court.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Erin Di Paolo

Denver , CO

Erin Di Paolo has posted 68 blog entries and 1 comment since joining on 3/18/2006. Erin Di Paolo 's average blog rating is 4.45.
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