A Circle of Kindness From Our Neighbors

--by Lynne1, posted Jan 8, 2011

Last year my family was moving from New Hampshire to Washington State. In the process of selling our house, giving away most of our belongings (we were moving to a much smaller house and didn't need most of it) and saying goodbye to all the friends we'd made over the past 22 years there; our 27-year-old daughter, who was living with us, became progressively more ill, eventually becoming unable to sit up or walk.

Three weeks before we were supposed to close on our house, she was diagnosed with both Lyme disease and a brain tumor, which was pressing on her brainstem. Her excellent neurosurgeon was able to remove the entire tumor, which was non-cancerous, and within days she could walk again and use her arms. Intravenous antibiotics took care of the Lyme disease.

When we returned home from the hospital (after 11 days away), there was a big sign welcoming us home from our neighbors and dinner in the kitchen. Our friends had set up a meal plan for us so we didn't have to cook for the next couple of weeks!

The people buying our home graciously gave us an extra two weeks before we needed to be out. And a crew from a local moving company generously offered to pack our house at no charge! Because they are professionals, they did it in about a tenth the amount of time it would have taken us (and nothing broke).

Our friends again rallied to help us donate more of our unmovable items, taking loads to Goodwill, our local homeless shelter, libraries, the dump, etc. Some even took furniture that they would store until they found someone who could use it. And then they helped us clean, made sure we had mattresses to sleep on, and generally gave us the most incredible send-off.

Every person who came to help told us of a time when we had helped them when they needed it and how happy they were to be able to reciprocate. By just being good friends and neighbors and were now getting a return on that kindness.

Telling the story brings tears to my eyes of all the wonderful friends we left behind. We can never repay them, but we can pay-it-forward on the West Coast!

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Posted by Lynne1
Jan 8, 2011
Comments (23)

Readers Comments

moral12 wrote: It is obvious you are well-loved by your friends and neighbors. Thanks for sharing your story.

oldgirl wrote: What wonderful neighbours you had in new hampshire lynne1. I hope that your new neighbours in washington state are similarly kind and with you being a generous and kind person, i am sure they will be too.

Here's hoping your daughter made a full and complete recovery as well.

lynn wrote: If the world was run on love, and compassion of others instead of the hate and self centredness of society, then i sometimes wonder wouldn't life be a much simpler and more content place to live. So by doing just little deeds, no matter how big or small, may just be the pefect gift to give someone who is more needing at the time, so i suggest always being ready to give away a smile or a kindness, even just some of your time , as you don't know how that may effect anothers day or even life. To give to others with an open heart enriches your own life tenfolds, try spreading a little happiness today, no matter where you may be, and feel the love, may god bless thee and keep thee.

Heidi wrote: My boyfriend is having a hard time in life right now and not trusting of mankind. I was searching the internet to find stories of hope and love, and that mankind can be trusted and i sure found the right site! Thank you for sharing these stories and helping this site be what it is. We need to talk about the importance of sharing love and changing the world and this is a wonderful way to do it! I'm very grateful!

akbj wrote: Wow, what a great story, & so glad for your daughter's amazing recovery! Your friends & neighbors sound magnificant, & you too must have been amazing friends to them. What a terrific example your story is.

butterflygirl wrote: Wow, what incredible friends and neighbors you had! That is how i strive to be! Thanks for sharing! Blessings!

Wilson wrote: The writer sounds so friendlw, homely and accommodating. I wish to have such so nice, cooperative and understanding people around me.

Yon wrote: Life is all about giving and not asking in return. The story is worth keeping!

cindy wrote: All these wonderful caring stories help me to see there is still a lot of love left in this world and we should not give up on it. Thanks for sharing and caring. May god bless you all.

Cyndy wrote: As if it isn't sad enough to have to live your friends, to have the compound problem of a loved ones illness. God truly did touch their lives.

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