Welcome! God has blessed the Atlantic community with abundant sunshine and warmth for most of the summer. It’s been simply glorious. I can’t remember a prettier summer. My beloved blue chicory line the roads. I waken to a songbird symphony. I get to jog first thing in the morning. Life is so good!
I’ve been blessed many times not only by the beauty of my community, but by the people. It’s the people that tie my heart to this place.
I have good neighbors. I had wonderful neighbors growing up. Some of my neighbors doubled as babysitters, friends, and bail-you-out-when-Mom-and-Dad-aren’t-home-folks.
This hasn’t only happened as a kid, though. It happened on a walk one afternoon a couple years ago, and serves as a powerful reminder of just how good hearted my neighbors are.
You know I love walking. I’d procrastinated my walk that particular day because it had been raining all day. I watched for any glimmer of sunlight. As soon as I saw the sun, I laced up my sneakers and hit the road. I didn’t bother with an umbrella; I figured the storm had passed. I didn’t even check my weather app. Before I was a mile into my walk, I noticed a blue-gray sky. Uh-oh. I know what that color means: A thunderstorm’s coming.
But I was stubborn. I wanted to finish my walk. No way was I turning back for an umbrella or taking the day off. I have to walk daily. It’s my antidepressant.
So, I picked up my pace. But I was no match for the storm. Leaves started flipping over and slapping against limbs. Cornstalks leaned against the wind.
Any sane person would’ve turned around. But I stubbornly determined to finish my walk, even if I got wet. So, I kept going, even when thunder rumbled. I got to the halfway point, turned around, and kept up my pace. I walked all-out, around five miles per hour, but I was no match for a thunderstorm. Christy versus thunderstorm? Who’s your money on?
Huge raindrops began pelting me within moments after I reached my halfway mark. Every depression in the road became a puddle. Soon my socks and shoes became sponge-like. My shirt clung to my soaked skin. My hair started to drip.
Then a minivan pulled up next to me. The driver’s side window slid down and a smiling face met my eyes. My neighbor said, “Want a ride?”
I jogged to her passenger door and plopped my soggy self onto her plush front seat. I was so relieved to be out of the storm, but I couldn’t avoid kicking myself. I mean, seriously. I didn’t even bring an umbrella!
Once I got home, I gratefully transitioned from a drowned rat to a cozy cat curled on the couch.
About two weeks later I noticed two of my neighbors, a precious couple I’ve known for 15 years, examining bananas at Walmart. I wheeled my cart over and greeted them. Their eyes sparkled. She grabbed me and gave me a firm hug. I hugged her back, surprised and confused, but more than willing to take a big hug from a good neighbor. When she released me, she said something I’ll never forget.
“We were so worried about you! My husband went looking for you during the storm last week, but couldn’t find you. He was really scared!”
Apparently as soon as it started to rain, he hopped in his car and went on a search for the dummy who walks in thunderstorms. That would be me. But he couldn’t find me. Why? Because another good neighbor had already rescued me.
So let’s take a moment and consider something. God sent one of my neighbors to pick me up, and another neighbor felt compelled to go looking for me.
Two people cared enough to drop what they were doing and rescue me from my own stubborn stupidity.
That’s the Atlantic community in a nutshell. People know each other and care about each other. They’re willing to inconvenience themselves to help someone in need. I can tell you, that didn’t happen when I lived in the suburbs around Akron, Ohio, for a few years. But I’ve got the best neighbors anyone could ask for in the Atlantic community.
If you live here, you know what I’m talking about. And if you don’t, maybe you’ll consider making my community your home, too. If you do, you’ll find yourself surrounded by good-hearted people who will be there for you when you’re in a bind. Try finding that just anywhere. I dare you.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!
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