Shouldn't…but Do

The Neighbor is moving.  The “For Sale” sign went up yesterday.  Not only is the Neighbor moving, she is getting married.  Big change.

I moved to this neighborhood in 1999.  With child in arms I stood in the backyard and listened to the wind.  The wind is different here, I liked it.  We bought.

Not long after, I got to know the Neighbor when I walked over with just-baked chocolate chip cookies for her daughter, who had recently had wisdom teeth extracted.  I pointed out the cookies were still gooey, the Neighbor said she liked them that way. I knew we could be friends.

Just months after moving here, the Neighbor’s world fell into unanticipated divorce.  A steady and caring woman, she did her best.  She survived and thrived, raised her children well.  There are few women so able.

On October 12, the Neighbor is marrying the Handyman, a fellow of fine stature and character.  Both of them born and raised here, their union does this small town proud.  Heart and soul.

From my worldview, my family landed in this neck of the woods in part to allow me the grace of an acquaintance such as hers.  At no time during my long marriage was my spouse as good a friend to me as the Neighbor.  And as my own marriage ended and divorce turned dark, the Neighbor still walks each step with me.

The strange and hilarious moments we have shared are priceless Neighbor,  I will always be grateful.  And I am grateful to the Handyman, who in marrying the Neighbor, is only moving her one mile to the north.  He got lucky. I did too.

The Neighbor is moving.  After many years, the Neighbor is moving in a big way.  Hers is a good story, deep with loss and gain.  The best kind of life, the best kind of woman.

“For Sale,” I sure hope someone nice moves in.