June 29, 2007

• Meeting New Neighbors

  I was pretty disappointed a few weeks ago after I wrote this entry, because I came home from work one day and found that the new upstairs neighbor(s?) had moved in while I was gone.  They went inside, closed their door, and I haven't seen them since. 

  Good thing for second chances though.

  Today I came home from work and found that new neighbors were in the process of moving into one of the condos facing us.  Ok, here's my chance, I thought.  But I was starving, so I quickly heated up some food and scarfed it down.  Meanwhile, I kept spying out the window.  Is that man, who is moving all the stuff out of the U-Haul, the new neighbor or a hired hand?  Then I saw two other older people moving some boxes.  Well, for sure, they are not hired hands.  After I finished eating, I didn't see the couple anymore.  Do I just walk up the stairs and knock on their door?  I started praying that God would help me out by bringing them back down the stairs.  Do I just show up, say hi, introduce myself?  Should I bring something?  I don't have anything.  Are they gonna think I'm crazy and turn me away?  What if they are unfriendly?  What if it's awkward?  What if they feel like I'm intruding?

  I paced back and forth in my condo.  Oh yeah, we have some lychee!  They look Asian, they might like it.  I packed some lychee into a paper plate and put clear wrap on top.  I looked out the window again and saw that the couple was definitely not coming down.  Maybe I shouldn't go.  C'mon, God, help!  I kept pleading with God but, getting nothing, I toyed with the idea of just staying in my condo.  But then I heard, Don't you remember what happened the last time you didn't go say hi.  You were never able to establish a relationship with those other neighbors.  So far, you know only one neighbor!  And isn't knowing all your neighbors what you wanted?

  It was painstakingly true.  So I slipped on my flip-flops, walked out my door, up the stairs and peaked into their open doorway.  "Hello!  Are you moving in?  I am your neighbor from across the way."  "Oh, hi!  Come on in!" they urged warmly.  I was met with smiles.
   
  I sat and talked to them for at least 15 minutes.  It turns out, as you might have guessed, that they were very friendly, in fact... and very appreciative that I had stopped by.  It is actually their twenty-something daughter who is moving in.  Perfect.  What an answered prayer!  I'm so glad I went, despite my not-so-gutsy monologue with myself...

  • 5:38 pm
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