Vicki and Wayne Parker of Loganville, Ga., formerly of Union enjoyed a visit from R.L and Glenda Goforth last week, and a visit with Josh, Kristen and Kelly Parker of Monroe, Ga.
On Saturday, they went to Stone Mountain for the Yellow Daisy Festival, a large arts and crafts fair in it’s 49th year. On Sunday, all attended church at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Grayson, Ga. Much of the weekend was spent watching the weather as Hurricane Irma set her sights on Florida and then Georgia.
I am writing from West Monroe this week, and I am feeling very thankful to the people around me, not just those here but also in Union. I have not been in Louisiana since July, yet the grass on my lot around my trailer has stayed well-cut. When I am here, and my son or son-in-law mow the lawn, they cut the parts of the next door lots on either side that join mine. Most of the time when I arrive alone, I can see that my lawn has been regularly cared for.
I arrived here Friday evening and shortly after arriving, I could hear the sounds of a lawn mower nearby. Peeking out, I saw someone mowing the lawn on the lot to my right and my part that adjoins it. Awhile later I saw someone else mowing the part on the other side that belongs to the neighbor to my left. I have a push mower and would have done the yard after I had time to rest from my trip. It seems my neighbors wanted me to be able to enjoy my time without having to do yard work.
The most unusual thing: I have not met my neighbor to my right at all. There is a single lady living to the left of me, whom I have only met once. My sister, who keeps tabs on the place for me has met her and she has been very nice to her, offering to help any way she is needed.
Back home in Union, I have a riding lawn mower that I can use in a limited capacity: cannot get in close or inclined spaces. My next-door neighbor often mows my front yard when he does his own, when he sees it needs it.
I get very discouraged sometimes at being alone and often unable to keep up things at my Union home like I need and want to. My son helps when he is there, but he isn’t there often. The busy head of this young family next door takes time out of his schedule to mow my front yard when he does his. This kind of generosity is overwhelming, helping me to understand that there are people who really care. Even when you don’t know them, or not know them well because of time limitations. Thank you, Jason. And thank you, Jennifer and your children for caring about the widow next door. With so much negativity in the world, it is faith inducing to realize that for the most part, humanity is good. And I send up a prayer of thankfulness to the Lord for those who care, those angels in human form.
