A good neighbor is a friend indeed

Wondering what was taking so long, I began to feel my anxiety rise. Our girls have begun adding responsibilities to their lives through implementing chores into their daily routines. One of the dreaded chores for both girls is the daily trek from the house to the dumpster, which lies up the driveway, near the roadway, to dispose of the days trash. This past week I reminded Riyann, and she headed out in her normal manner, smiling all the way. Full trash bag in tow, she began the arduous (to a nine-year-old) journey. As time passed, I began to realize she was taking a bit longer than normal.

Fearing the worst, something I many times do, I quickly sprang from my seat and walked over to the front door to check on my little adventurer. Expecting to find her playing with the latest leaf or rock she came across or possibly the neighborhood stray cat, I peered out the glass window and to my surprise I didn’t see her. She wasn’t standing by the road waving an adorable hello to passing motorists like she often did and wasn’t doing her best to simply be herself in her own special way, she was nowhere to be found.

As my heart dropped, I opened the door and stepped outside. Preparing myself for every parent’s worst nightmare. Immediately, I noticed some movement to my left. I felt a wave of relief flow across me as I observed Riyann making her way through the wooded area between our home and the neighbors. With a look similar to a startled animal, Riy saw me and with a big smile on her face yelled. “My neighbor friend is home!” Knowing that she was safe, I simply responded with a hearty OK and stood watching as she made her way over to her friends front door.

Our neighbors, Riy’s good friends, had just arrived home from a trip where they had been visiting some close family members out of state. Little did they know that the opportunity to see their children and grandchildren over the holidays would soon be overshadowed by the fact that Riyann would surely drill them about every aspect of their trip and pressure them to get some gardening done, a chore she had fully bought into whenever she saw them working their flower garden. Never waiting for an invitation, she would see them outside, walk over, and simply jump right in and begin helping, taking in the tutelage from some truly good people.

Upon assuring that everything was alright, I listened as Riy welcomed them home and as I feared, began quizzing them on why they had been gone so long. As good people often do, our neighbors cheerfully welcomed the child and appeased her curiosity. Later, Lilli inquired where her sister was and upon hearing that she was welcoming the neighbors back home she hurriedly sprung out the door and headed over. Checking on the girls, I later found them standing beside their friend, learning the proper art of planting flowers, while Lilli lectured Riyann about making sure that mom and dad knows where she is before leaving the yard.

While I sat, content that my babies were safe, the thought about how lucky we are crossed my mind. Seldom are we able to enjoy the presence of others who truly care for knowledge. My hope is that each of us will slow down a little this year and enjoy the company of those around us. Seek out the wisdom my friends while allowing not only ourselves but our younger generation to truly benefit from being in the presence of those who have lived a bit longer and have an abundance of knowledge to impart and may we always see children as an opportunity to teach rather than an obstacle. Be a good neighbor my friends.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from nine to 29.