Just the other day, I was having a conversation with a friend who was telling me about all of the interesting things that go on in his neighborhood. He mentioned how he liked his neighborhood and all the quirkiness that comes with it. Such as a gentleman neighbor on the corner who wears spandex all the time. Or the girl from across he street who is always barging in my friend’s house forgetting the fact that it’s important to knock first. And lets not forget about the 60 yr- old woman from 3 doors down who is always chasing her disobedient puppy down the street while in her underwear. There were many other interesting features about my friend’s neighborhood. Features that actually have a resemblance of an episode of “Desperate Housewives”, but I won’t go into that. Sorry 😉
I said to my friend, “Wow, my neighborhood is dull in comparison.” I added, ” There’s nothing all that entertaining going on in this cul-de-sac”. Then I pondered a little. Well, there is that one gray house with the Christmas lights still up. Yes! That gray house with that family of 4! One of the little boys in that family likes to walk this red bike around the cul-de-sac over and over again. He doesn’t even ride it! Every once in a while, you will see this same little boy run out in the front yard in nothing but his boxer shorts and socks! Sometimes he’ll do this in the dead of winter! Then his poor mom ends up chasing him all around the front yard untill he jumps into the back seat of their car and locks the door so his mom can’t get him. The mom just shrugs her shoulders and walks back in the house. As soon as the mom does that, this boy will jump out of the car and run back into the house….but what happened to his boxer shorts???! Did he take them off in the car? Sometimes I notice them in the driveway the very next day.
I notice this little boy has an older brother. He doesn’t do the streaking-outside thing but I notice he is quite loud. I can tell whenever they are on their trampoline in the back yard. Sounds like a hyena is being tortured but I know it’s just him having fun on the trampoline.
Then the husband. Seems like a nice family man and a great provider. But would it kill him to take the rest of the Christmas lights down so his poor wife doesn’t have to? She’s the one who puts them up every year. Poor, poor woman.
Yes, this gray house keeps our neighborhood very interesting. Would it surprise you to know that me and my family are the occupants of this gray mad house?
I often wonder what perspective my neighbors have regarding the madness that spills out the front door on an almost daily basis. But then again, I don’t think I want to know entirely. One thing I know about my neighbors is that they are all precious! They are not judgmental like many people. My neighbors practically have front row seats to a great deal of what goes on outside. They probably lost count of how many times Matt has launched his backpack in the middle of the street because it wasn’t fitting just right. But they don’t judge. They show love, acceptance, and grace. We are lucky. The neighbors directly across the street happen to have a son with Autism Spectrum Disorder who is grown up. They remind me that they’ve been there. They know. Even our neighbors who don’t understand the challenges of raising a child like Matthew-they still love. They still care. They don’t ever criticize or pretend he’s not there. Not too many people in my shoes can say that about their neighbors.
That was great!
Beautiful story Mandi. And hilarious as well!
Hahaha, you’re all mad-just like my family!
You gave me a really really good belly laugh. Thank you!
Fiona 😀
Great story, Mandi! I bet your gray mad house adds the oomph to an otherwise boring neighborhood. 🙂 And bless your neighbors’ kind hearts. Wish we could all live in neighborhoods like yours.
Happy Wednesday!
Love this story!
Been trying to comment for a few days now. Anyway, I can defiantly relate. I was guessing that you were going to say the house was yours 😉
How are things going for you guys? I haven’t heard in a little while. We worry 🙂
Soooo funny mandi!
I think we all feel that our neighbours may find us strange or just out right crazy at times. When my son was 5 my neighbour told me he needed milatairy school!!! I just laughed and gave him so information about ASD. Now they are wonderful.
I thought it had to be you lol. Only a mum with ASD kids could possible understand the delights of ASD children, your son is wonderful and I just love to hear about what he gets up to. You do such an amazing job keep it up.
CaRRiE