God has blessed with a wonderfully sweet neighbor across the street. I just met her three days ago but I’ve already fallen in love with her. In her early seventies, Mrs. Jane seems to be a sweet lady with tons of spunk and energy. We were loading up in the car a few days ago and my kids started yelling “hello’s”. We walked on over to introduce ourselves and such. Through conversation it came up that her 50-year-old son was in hospice waiting to die from stage 4 melanoma. For obvious reasons my heart went out to her. I offered to bring her a meal to maybe ease some stress from moving and such.
Yesterday with a full plate of roast, potatoes, carrots, green beans, and crescent rolls in tote Eli and I walked across the street. Mrs. Jane had just pulled into her driveway. As she got out of her car I asked how her day had been. With a deep sigh, she replied, “Not good, my son died last night.” I offered my first reaction of sympathy and love. Eli didn’t hesitate a moment after the last word was out of my mouth. With great gumption and sincerity he swung his little fist downward and yelled, “Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Man!!!!”
Oh My Word!!! what will my boy do next?!?! Thankfully I think he gave Mrs. Jane a reason to smile probably for the first time that day. I continued to talk with her about the funeral arrangements being made. Within a few minutes I looked around for Eli. He had stepped behind me and had his pants half-way down totally making ready to “water” Mrs. Jane’s flowers. He was quite perturbed that I made him pull them back up and run across the street to do his business in our bathroom. Once again she laughed and reminisced how her little boy with a head full of curls did the same thing years ago….
Despite my embarrassment I was so grateful to know we helped make someone very sad smile!
