Across the Street

🏡
We have these neighbors.
We built the first houses in our cul-de-sac twelve years ago.
It started out as a regular “live across the street” relationship but then Devin adjusted our new sprinkler system. Because he’s super handy.
And Sandy offered to have their family come help us put up our Christmas tree. Because I was eight months pregnant.

Then they took down the tree for me.
That year and for years after.
And their boys mowed our lawn.
And Sandy texted me when we accidentally left the garage open at midnight.
And Devin fixed a million things.
And we could count on them.

Now they’re moving.
And my heart is so sad.
But happy, too.
Sandy’s struggle with an injured ankle has led to her leg being amputated at her knee. The stairs in their house across the street are a barrier. They’re moving to a one-level-easy-access-bathroom-roll-in-if-necessary kind of house.
And I know how that will change their lives. Because we know how it feels to finally be able to get where you need to go in your home without obstacles.
So I’m happy for them.

But sad for us.
I’m going to miss the Jones’.
Neighbors who became family because they love and serve and watch out for others.
Neighbors you can count on.

And I'm sad that the people moving in have no idea who Jason is. Have no idea of our story. Have no idea that we have a history here in the cul-de-sac that is full of a guy rolling around in a wheelchair.

I’m sad that our new neighbors will never know Jason Hall.
That our cul-de-sac will never be the same.
I’m sad that the Jones’ are moving a 2.5-mile-walk-on-the-path away.
It just not the same as across the street.

But I’m grateful for the freedom that Sandy and Devin will have with their new set-up.
It’ll truly be life-changing.
I’m feeling really happy for that.✊🏻💙