Let me begin by saying that I have the perfect front yard for kids to play in. Nice low climbing tree and bushes absolutely made for hiding in ambush under and behind. I was a tom boy - I remember and know what they look for. So as you might imagine my yard attracts boys by the handful! And I rarely complain even though it makes the dogs crazy in the house. I love to see kids playing outside, using their imaginations! So as long as they leave my car alone and don't break things I don't complain.
Well, some one of them did take glass ornaments out of the neighbor's garage and broke them all over my side yard. Yeah, I complained. And their mom was even madder since they were her ornaments! The other neighbors driving by and seeing me out with a shop vac vacuuming my lawn may think I have lost it though. I just told the mom I wanted them to stay off the yard for a bit as I worried I might not get all the little pieces. One large chunk pierced her flip flop as she walked away driving home my concern. Thank you Lord.
So fast forward a few weeks and the boys are back playing in the yard though I think one is no longer joining them... Yesterday I saw them scooping leaves into piles by hand in my yard and I figured they would jump in them (who wouldn't) and they would scatter back where they began. WRONG! Today I saw that in fact they had raked them up and bagged them. And one of the boys pointed it out just in case I missed it! I told him I was grateful and he proudly announced that they were going to rake some more today. He was so proud of himself so I told him that I would give them some cookies next time I baked. His little face lit up and he promptly shared his find with the others who thanked me.
Later I saw them out there with rakes working like mad and they came as it got dark to let me know they would be finishing tomorrow. So I promised to bake cookies tomorrow to which the youngest (first grade - just ask him!) wanted to know if I could make ginger bread cookies. And told me all about the one his teacher brought the year before.
Oh yeah I did. I said I would see what I could do. I wished them a Merry Christmas to which they eagerly responded in kind. So now I am not only baking cookies tomorrow but the kind that have to be rolled out and DECORATED! But 'tis the season.
The time when we are maybe more aware of how much difference a kindness can make. And ever so grateful that Christmas isn't all about shopping.
4 comments:
What a great conclusion to what had happened with these boys and making a mess in your yard. They seem to come from a good home and they seem so happy to have cookies made for them. So, will you make gingerbread, as I think they will take whatever you make. So cute what a story. I think you will have them raking leaves for cookies for years to come. Life is not all about shopping, it is things like this that make life so very wonderful.
Oh yes. It is my observation that boys will work for food. More so if it is home made and cookies seem to top the list! And they never outgrow it!!!
I am so glad you had this happen today. What a great day, like the icing on top of the cake so to speak. Sounds like you will be making more cookies in the future for these special new friends of yours. How wonderful.
I barely finished the gingerbread men as they finished raking again today. My trees could keep them busy for a couple of weeks! Hmmm and me too baking cookies! But no more gingerbread men! They were thrilled by the way!
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