This past weekend I wrote about the need to engage our neighbors. We must do more than judge them, we must get to know them. I mentioned that I would be baking some cookies and delivering them to a particularly troubled and troublesome neighbor.
I’ve been asked for an update. For those of you who think I just write stuff, I thought it would be good for you to see that I really do live out my words.
And so, I baked the cookies, just as I suggested. I wrapped one dozen of the fresh-from-the-oven goodies and walked over to the neighbor’s home. I rang the doorbell. One of the boys answered the door. I handed the home-made goodness to him and said, “I thought you might like some cookies and so I made these for you. They’re chocolate chip.”
I smiled my warmest neighborly smile.
He looked at the plate full of home-made goodness, said, “Okay”, and turned around and went inside.
I didn’t get a “Thank you,” a “Sweeet!!” or a “That’s keen, Mister!” Nothing. He shut the door and I walked home.
And they kept the plate.
As I mentioned before, it isn’t always a story book ending.
Hmm. Maybe next time try a, “Hi, Sonny, are you parents home?” And give the cookies directly to the adults. Or maybe there won’t be a next time. At least you tried. Can’t throw every starfish back into the sea – if you get my cliched reference! Goodonya for trying!
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Keep trying.
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