Our next door neighbors, Dolly and Jerry, have a bench in their front yard with the word, “Welcome” written on it. It exemplifies who they are. Jerry and Dolly welcomed us from the minute we started building our house. They were our mentors, telling us how to get our garbage pick-up started, advising how to get a vegetation permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, explaining when people from Missouri talk about Johnny Morris they mean the owner of Bass Pro not the football player, and most importantly, explaining the neighborhood history. It is with a heavy heart I’m writing this post, because our sweet loving neighbor, Dolly, passed away a little over a week ago.
Dolly and Jerry welcomed us with open arms to the neighborhood, but it was because of the bench I was able to know Dolly. Whenever Joel saw Dolly on the bench, he would tell me, and I would drop everything and go sit with Dolly. On the bench, we would talk about everything or just relax and enjoy the weather for a few minutes or an hour, whatever our schedules would allow. We would sit and watch her grandsons ride their bikes. We would watch my granddaughters get proficient on their rollerblades. My favorite time was watching Ally preform impromptu concerts with Violet interpreting through dance. What joy those concerts brought both of us. I’m not sure they would have happened, if not for the bench and the captive audience it holds.
Dolly was strong in both love and conviction. We bonded through sharing the wisdom and love found in grandmothers’ hearts. When we visited with Dolly in the hospital she thanked us for being so good to her, but she had it wrong; we are the grateful one. Thank you, Dolly, for welcoming us. We will never forget your kindness. I have been blessed with great next door neighbors but Dolly is the one I miss the most.
I will miss those talks on the bench, but I now choose to visualize her in God’s kitchen making her famous chocolate chip cookies for all the children in heaven. Dolly, we love you and miss you.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
