Dear Village, Thanks!

Normally, I might be somewhat of a Quirky Turkey. But lately, I have felt more like a Jerky Turkey. I have lots to be grateful for. I have had good intentions of thanking many people who have offered service, said a kind word, dropped off a favorite treat, or was there to help in a pinch, expecting nothing in return.
However, I'm afraid that I have just not gotten around to it yet. Does anyone out there seem to have an extra one of these that I can have? Perhaps it will help.







Sorry - I digress. Back to the post at hand. I would like to dedicate this post to ALL of those who have been "Angels Among Us", more specifically to me!

I Am Grateful for...

• The neighbor who came to my front door last January with cash in-hand telling me that she didn't know why, but that she was prompted I needed this money and that I was not to pay her back.


• The neighbor who volunteered to help me with the church activities committee, since EVERYONE else bailed. (gee! was it something I said?)


• The neighbor that brought me candy cuz she knew it was my favorite. Or gave me her last 2 eggs cuz my kids wanted me to bake brownies. Or dropped off milk because she knew I only had $2 till payday. Or let me borrow supplies so I can make Christmas gifts. For emailing me and checking in on me regularly.


• The Neighbor that stopped me at church because she wanted me to know that I had a positive impact on her daughter, and told me she thinks I am a beautiful person. How did she know that I needed to hear that on that particular day?


• The Neighbor that brought me a little note with a treat to tell me she missed me when I wasn't at church and for making sure that my kids will be set for the upcoming Christmas holiday.


• The Neighbor (and his daughter) who have done - on multiple occasions - outside work for me without being asked, starting all the way back in January. Plowed my drive. Mowed my lawn. Blew my leaves. Trimmed hideous branches off the "Beast" tree. Cleaned out gutters. Winterized my swamp cooler. Watched/Watches over me/my house in case my very own personal episode of "Cops" happens (again).


• The Neighbor who ALWAYS comes through for me. Lets me talk her ear off when I need to share news. Gives me advice. Lets me vent. Picks up my kid from a school that's not even in our neighborhood because I forgot it's early-out week. Takes my sick kids in so I don't have to miss work. Takes my kid to the pool or the water park or amusement park or the zoo or the boutique because - "Why not?". Teaches me how to buy cereal for 20 cents a box. Watches over my house and alerts me to things that occur when I am not there. Forgives me when I am a total boob and say things I shouldn't. Invites me in to eat dinner with them when I show up at the door for something totally unrelated. Lets me "shop" in her food storage when I am out of something. Laughs AT and WITH me when I am being totally stupid. Goes shopping with me to Wal-Mart in the middle of the night to make sure I will be "safe". Tells the waitress when MY order isn't correct because I still have serious non-confrontational issues. For being like the sisters I miss, for "getting me".

And so many more, I am afraid I am forgetting someone here.

Rhondalue reminded me over at her blog that "it takes a village". My "village" is filled with these kinds of neighbors, for who I am eternally grateful. They are MORE than neighbors. They are my friends.

There are times, when these random acts of kindness occur, that I feel needy or incapable of providing or doing for myself. Sometimes my pride gets in the way and it hurts or I am embarrassed or ashamed that I need this much help. But mostly I know that these neighbors, these friends help me because they are following a prompting or because they love and care about me. I also know that it is my Heavenly Father's way of teaching me that sometimes I have to be on the receiving end and that I am not alone.

When my divorce happened almost a year ago, I felt like I stepped off the curb into a very chaotic and fast-paced traffic pattern, going the wrong way down a one-way street. I still feel that way. Some days I think to myself, "What the heck am I doing?" or "What kind of mother am I?" I feel like I am grasping for something, anything that represents normalcy. (Another reason I blog.) I know that my Heavenly Father knows me or He would not have sent me these people to help take care of me.

So, much thanks to ALL of my friends, my family, and my neighbors; My Village for taking care of me and "Raising" me. I know in my heart I will NEVER be able to repay any of you for any of the kind things you do or have done for me. But I definitely do not want you to think these things have gone unnoticed or unappreciated. I know that one day, when I am in a better place, I will be the one who will be able to help out someone else; to pay it forward.

I only hope it will be enough.