Home is where you start from: The neighbors, golden

Friday, March 28, 2008

The neighbors, golden

Amie and Mr. wonderful neighbor walking the dogs

We have wonderful, interesting neighbors next-door.
-*He is very smart and funny and quiet (so quiet you forget how smart he is until he speaks up on something) He was an architect and designed his house.
-*She is a retired elementary teacher, bird watcher/cellist/tennis player/gardener/traveler- they also speak Italian and Spanish.

I want to be like Mrs. Wonderful neighbor when I grow up!

A week or two ago, the kids were running in a mob with the neighborhood kids- I was on the front porch talking to our brand-new neighbor, and I have to admit this...ignoring the herd of screaming/running children as they ran through our yard into Wonderful Neighbor's yard (which is beautifully kept with lots of native California plants).

Mr. Wonderful Neighbor came outside, and began making his shuffling way towards our house. He is so quiet and slow moving, that sometimes it is easy to imagine that he is grumpy.
I quickly walked out to meet him, feeling very guilty and in the wrong for allowing the kids to run like wild animals through his yard...

He looked me in the eyes, and the first words out of his mouth were...

"You know we have a life-time credentialed teacher living here, and we will work something out with you to help you keep the kids at home."

I realized he was referencing the recent court ruling here in California, seeming to outlaw homeschooling in our state. I can't think of many instances of me being so surprised. I can't remember my stumbling and inadequate reply, except that I thanked him from the bottom of my heart. He went on to state his opinion of it taking years for the court proceedings to run their course (the hidden smart man there again) and his hope it would all work out.

Mrs. Wonderful neighbor has always been so helpful and friendly to our kids, she has the heart of a life-long teacher and has them over all the time for sewing lessons, cooking lessons, fun, and nature walks. I've never really known what they think of our homeschooling.

Mr. Wonderful neighbor gave his approval that day, I think.

Labels: homeschool

posted at 10:50 AM
17 comments

17 Comments:

At 7:01 PM, momto5minnies said...: Awwwww ... that was just wonderful to read. Lucky you to have such nice neighbors.
At 12:02 AM, Jenileigh said...: LOL! How sweet!
At 7:12 AM, Skeller said...: Awwww. You are blessed!! What an incredibly sweet story - it kind of hearkens back to a kinder, gentler time, methinks.
At 8:42 AM, At A Hen's Pace said...: Praising God with you for the blessing of neighbors like these! We are so sad to move away from our wonderful neighbors...and praying for good ones in our new neighborhood.

~Jeanne
At 3:53 AM, Suburban Correspondent said...: That's it - I'm moving...
At 4:42 AM, Anonymous said...: Not if I get there first Suburban!!! Sheehs, It's nice to know there are such blessings out there, I'm SO happy you have wonderful neighbours!!!
Wish mine were like that.
At 5:14 AM, Anonymous said...: That is so sweet. What a blessing to have such wonderful neighbors :)

Kathy D.
At 6:14 AM, Marybeth Whalen said...: We have a neighbor just like this. We love Mr. Bob. My five year old just told me that Bob is his best friend. What a blessing!
At 9:08 AM, Anonymous said...: Wow! What a great neighbor!
At 9:28 AM, Anonymous said...: What a blessing! I'm sure God smiled on you that day! Thank you for sharing!

Be blessed
At 11:17 AM, DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...: What a sweet story. You are blessed.
At 12:10 PM, Jules said...: Oh my goodness, that brings tears to my eyes. We are bombarded every day with images and stories of how horrible people can be to each other. This was a nice reminder that there are more good people in the world than we are led to believe.

Thanks for sharing!
At 6:45 PM, Lisa~ said...: Mr. Wonderful as neighbors are hard to come by sometimes! You have a gem! What a sweet spirit....

Lisa~
At 8:05 PM, Hen Jen said...: Hen,

I hope your new neighbors turn out to be wonderful. Congratulations on the new house!!

SuburbanCorrespondent and Shannon,

move on in...the house across from us is about to go on the market!!!
At 9:04 PM, Middle Age Hacks said...: This would make a great contribution to Good New Thursday at whyhomeschool.blogspot.com. :o)
Sally
At 9:05 PM, Anonymous said...: Thank you for sharing this story. I want to live next to Mr. Wonderful Neighbor!
At 10:01 PM, Anonymous said...: What a sweet story! Good neighbors are so nice to have.

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