Welcome to the New Neighborhood

Dawn was breaking as I stumbled out of bed. Where was I? Why was I so tired? Why were there bits of sad memories running around in my head?

Stretching a bit and clicking on my brain, reality returned. We had just spent our first evening in a new apartment. For forty-four years the sun (or rain, wind, or snow) would greet us from our home on Lake Springfield. Today the beams of light show through our third-floor window of an independent living center.

A bit of sadness was present. Could we adjust to no bird feeders, quacking ducks, or pontoon rides? Yes, yes, we were each eighty-five and it was time to move to the next chapter of our lives, but could we drag our hearts along with us? I truly was going to miss watching the deer nibble the flowers and bushes in our yard. Goose poop was messy but watching them waddle along was a joyful sight. Would we ever see a squirrel staring at us from a perch on a nearby limb? Life would be so different.

About then I stumbled out to our living area and glanced toward the blinds on the patio door. I took a second look. What was I seeing? Could it possibly be? Yes, without a doubt there was a large goose standing on the patio railing looking into our window.

I laughed, grabbed my phone, and snapped a picture. My heart cheered. A goose had come to welcome us that early morning. Perhaps he missed us already from our Lake Springfield home. Or, maybe he had received an email message from a relative goose encouraging him to say howdy to his former lake friends, now living on the third floor of a home in his domain.

Whatever, it was so much fun to see a friendly, smiling face (if geese can smile). I needed that happy moment.

So — lesson for today. Perhaps you, too, noticed a new face walking into your church building this week. Reach out. Smile. Chat a bit. Encourage them to join you for a cup of java. Don’t wait for someone else to share a greeting. Who knows, they might just need YOU to help them feel at home. It is so easy to visit only with your longtime friends. That is needed, but the newcomer in your foyer may be searching for a friendly smile. Go for it. Welcome them to the NEW NEIGHBORHOOD.