Bicycle Blessings
Today, I was cleaning up in the kitchen and I heard a knock at the front door. Nate was downstairs getting ready for work, so I answered it. There stood Mr. Willard, our elderly neighbor man.
Mr. Willard has lived two doors down from us the entire time we’ve lived in our house. He’s a widower, and a former Marine. Gentle and sweet. When we moved in, he pulled Nate aside, opened his garage door and waved his arm across as if to gesture to the contents therein. “Anything in here, you can use . Just put it back!”
He’s in his late 70’s at least, maybe even older. Yet, he sometimes rides his lawn mower over and mows our lawn (along with the one in between our houses.) When we took him his Christmas cookies last year, he gave each of my boys $1, which thrilled them immensely. He’s just an all-round nice guy and the kind of neighbor everyone hopes to have!
So, back to today. I answered the door and there he stood. With a small bike beside him.
He explained that this was for the “little guy” meaning Connor.
Since Andy and Brady have learned to ride their bikes without training wheels (Brady did, just three days ago!), they’ve been zooming around the cul-de-sac. They often turn around in Mr. Willard’s drive way (with permission!) since that’s their boundary. Connor happily just ran after them! He’d chase them for hours, just happy to be included with the big boys.
Seems Mr. Willard noticed, so he took care of it himself! He bought Connor a brand-new bicycle!
I thanked Mr. Willard profusely and repeatedly told him he did not need to do that. I could tell he really wanted to. He left and we called Connor upstairs. I have never seen his little face light up like that. It was priceless!
Nate didn’t have to leave for work immediately, so we all walked over to Mr. Willards so Connor could thank him in person. Here are all my little bike riders. (Evan doesn’t really know how to ride the tricycle yet, but she’s happy to call it hers!)
Ferris tagged along. Grayson slept in my arms, but Mr. Willard was happy to meet him nonetheless.
We’re beyond blessed — in so many ways!
July 16th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
How wonderful! What a nice surprise for Connor. I remember the day you got your drivers license, I told Dad, she has been go, go, go since she learned to walk (at 18 mos.) and now we’re putting wheels on her.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Sweet, sweet neighbor. I guess he came wih the neighborhood.
July 17th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I’m crying. Don’t know why. Except that I remember having elderly neighbors like that growing up and I know how much doing stuff like this helped them feel like they still have a place, you know? And I loved the image I get in my mind of your whole troop going over so Connor could thank him. Gracious, I’m all emotional.
You guys are doing so great with your kids, by the way. I’m such a proud Auntie. They’re great kids.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:53 am
This post warmed my heart~ Where are more people like Mr. Willard~ I know that I live in an area where I have no neighbors near and most of them that are near certainly are not anything like Mr.Willard~ Great that your family showed him that you were grateful~ Best ensample for children~
Many Blessings~
tamela