June 22, 2010

note to self...

stop assuming Martha...

do you remember how I was concerned about some neighbors
because I was caught in the middle of feeling like should I wave or not wave
or I wasn't doing enough to welcome them
or was I doing too much and bothering them?...

a newer couple that moved in about a year ago had a baby recently
a baby boy...
one of the first boys on our block mind you...
because the rest is girls

and before they had him we had given them a baby armoire that I wasn't interested in refinishing and it wouldn't sell for over 8 months for whatever reason

I had Bobby walk over and ask them if by chance they would like or need one for their new expecting baby instead of just dropping it off somewhere....
I'd rather give it to someone
who possibly wanted it
and they did...
they are really a great couple we are starting to get to know

and after the baby came I was seriously stressed because I wanted to make them a meal but had no idea what they liked because I didn't know them well enough to know what they liked

to be honest I wasn't quite sure if they even liked us
and I perhaps thought well okay...
maybe I'm offering them too much and they are thinking that crazy lady is always trying to say hi when she sees us and offering her baby armoire and food to us...

I guess I didn't quite know or understand if they were neighbors that liked their quiet and didn't want to socialize
{which doesn't make them mean or rude I know}
just wanted to add that in case I got that anonymous commenter that calls ME that bad neighbor and person again...
for awhile I didn't think they liked us
but just wanted to let them know friendliness does exist in neighborhoods
and if they need something they can ask type of thing
I know you don't have to or want to be friends with every neighbor you have
but I do believe in community.

{random picture of a storm rolling in last week}

so of course about everyday I asked Bobby..."what should I make them?"...
"what should I bring them?"....
I was like a broken record you know...
that he probably wanted to stick a sock in my mouth or something

finally I think Bobby just tuned me out you know...
and he stopped listening to me stress about it
because I truly wanted to do something because I remember how helpful it was to me
when meals came

so I thought and thought
what did I love the most and what did Bobby enjoy?
well Bobby...that was easy...anything sweet for him...
me...I wanted stuff to snack on because when I had my girls it was hot and 
what sounded good to me was some fresh cold stuff...
so I made a big fruit dish for her to snack on and some cookies
but I still felt bad it wasn't a meal
I took it over and last weekend on Friday night...
our dishes came back over with the sweetest picture of a baby boy
and the sweetest letter written back to us
it seriously made me teary-eyed and speechless
I'm not talking a basic thank you note here...

I'm talking a well-written...kind...friendly...
one they put so much thought into
a letter that really makes you realize that your actions and interactions with your own family are watched and noticed
{not in a weird way but just noticed in a nice way...hope that makes sense}
pretty much one of the sweetest thank you's I've ever gotten!!!
and I barely get through it without a tear

so....

note to self...
Martha stop assuming...
that neightbors want nothing to do with you
and they may not like you
well not everyone will always like you
but you get my drift...
I just am feeling pretty darn bad that I assumed...
but therein is my imperfection...
just takes me a bit to get it right sometimes

but I realized keep doing what you love to do for others
quit being ridiculous, Martha...and just stop right now with the assuming!
for all I know...people thought the same of us!

I hope I'm not the only nut-job who thinks like this....
or maybe I am...

speaking of good neighbors
I was stressed about a few things these past two weeks
and came outside to this in front of my garage


my parents bought me some flowers to plant
because they know how much I love flowers and that they make me smile...
especially ones that I can plant
now those are some good neighbors a few blocks away too:)

10 comments:

Kasey said...

You are a giver ( that I know first hand), and
I know they felt it.
What a sweet gesture Martha.
I am so sorry you recieved an awful comment.
Boo hiss to that.

Anonymous said...

I am not sure who wouldn't love you as their neighbor/friend, your amazing gestures of friendship, your tender heart all good traits to have in a friend, so I am sure now she will open up and embrace you! that was so very nice of you sweet girl, food is an amazing treat right after having a baby...and your parents leaving you those flowers, precious!

koralee said...

What a sweetie you are...you are a true blessing to this world.. such a sweet kind soul. Kindness always comes back to you...some people just do not know how to express their feelings but kindness is never wasted. Hugs to you...why oh why can't you be my neighbour!!!! xoxooxxo

Faded Plains said...

I love that even though you were unsure about it all...you did it anyway. Like they say...you won't know till you try...so glad you tried ;o)

Laurie said...

There are houses all around us for sale- MOVE OUT HERE!! :) Martha, seriously, you are the best neighbor! And no, you are not the only "nut job" out there. Welcome to the club! :)

LuLu said...

Ahhh I loved reading this post... so happy your gesture was well received and they sent you a wonderful thank you note! Note to self- this is for me- send more thank you notes!
Have a wonderful day sweet neighbor,
xo,
LuLu

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

You are the sweetest girl!! I would love to have a neighbor like you. I'm happy to have you as a blog friend!:)

Mrs. Dunbar said...

Oh girl, you have such a big heart. Just keep on giving and your rewards will be given someday in the future.

What thoughtful parents you have!! Sounds like you had good examples.

Victoria Hayden said...

Martha, so very thoughtful of you! I am sure they were appreciating all that you have done for them. Sometimes we want to reach out to others and are not sure how it will be received...good for you to do the right thing. Bless you...who wouldn't want you as a friend?! :)

Hugs and love,
Victoria

Julie said...

you definitely aren't alone ... those thoughts and assumptions sounded quite familiar to me... and so did the part about getting tuned out..hahaha. bobby and adam seem to take similar approaches =P

i hope to maybe be a nearby neighbor next year in stl!!!

p.s. by the comments on here, you are a very wanted neighbor to all of us :o)