In a long, earnest, hushed conversation, the previous pastor's wife told me all about several neighbors so that I would "know what to expect." It was a hot, sunny day in July, and we hunched on the balcony as she pointed out several houses and talked about their occupants. I didn't say much.
The people across the way there are quite nice. They just moved here a couple of years ago. They have grandchildren about your children's ages. Maybe they would be able to play together...
The couple in the little house behind are very kind and sweet. We've had no problems whatsoever with them, in spite of the fact that they're in their nineties.
The lady in that house, with the car parked in front, is sick, I think... some kind of psychological thing. Be careful, because she's often asking for favors. Don't get sucked in...
Oh, and in the blue house there (her voice went down to a whisper) there's a boy who's very difficult... He was out front with a gun once, and another time with a knife. Be careful with your children around him. Jacques (her husband) had him in catechism, and he spit in his face one time. Absolutely no respect whatsoever... I'd be very careful with the children around him.
The guy who lives in that house over there is single, no problems with him.
Oh and those people are German, very nice...
I wish I could report it to you in more exact terms, French, with her inflection and word choice, but it's been a while...
What's funny is that my experience of the same people is quite different from hers. And some of the most colorful characters, she never even talked about...
More next time.
Comments (1)
I always find that a strange place to be in--on either side. As the listener, I want to know who's who and what's what, but I also want to form my own opinions. As the speaker, I want to tell people what I think they should know to make their lives a bit easier, but I don't want to taint them with my prejudices. I hope you're finding it all good and that you can see the beauty in the people God surrounded you with.
Thanks for reading my stuff. It was good to write it. I don't think I've processed it that much in writing before. Some of it was quite difficult. One of my students and mentorees read it and has been posting her memories/journal entries/emails on facebook and on her xanga. It has provoked some interesting comments from her peers.
Miss you like crazy.