New Neighbors

I love the cycles of a neighborhood.

When we moved on to our street with the houses standing side by side, there were babies to the left of us, and babies across the street. We had one as well. Every other house on our street held a baby in its rooms. 

Our backyard neighbors were an elderly couple whose family visited often. We called each other regularly to say how we noticed the backyard visitors, the sprinkler was on, and...how was everything, anyway?

Now the babies are grown. Some are married, some are living at home. Most are independent. Our backyard neighbor became a widow, then moved to a nursing home. The backyard is so quiet. The clothesline stands empty, with lines dangling, calling for clothing.

A new family, and a new baby, entered the rooms of the house across the street. I know the house well. My children played in those rooms. We have been to dinner in the dining room, and roasted marshmallows in the back yard together. I babysat siblings while a new baby was born to the neighbors and friends who had lived there before.

I was given the honored tour of the home by this young family. The dad carried the new baby in his arms as we walked. Like each of us who moves into a new space, the couple talked about how "one day we might put a window here...," and "I'd really like to redo the bathroom..." 

The house is their home now, and holds for them the future and dreams of their time there. New memories will be created, though the old ones will always remain, and be added to, as the neighborhood cycles through again.


1 comment:

  1. What a lovely tribute to your neighborhood. I especially love the image of the clothesline calling for clothes in backyard neighbors' yard.

    ReplyDelete

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