Common Courtesy

Some people aren't taught manners, you see them in the merge lanes on the highway, in line at the grocery store, and in your neighborhood.

Yesterday, I stopped by the grocery store on the way home, the lines were long, and it was cold and windy outside. I found my way, though, to the shortest line possible. That line, blocked the aisle though, so I backed up to allow room for other shoppers to pass by me until my line moved down a little so I could move up. Can you visualize this? Well, finally, the lady in front of me moved up, and right at the same time, another woman was passing in front of me - so I was waiting for her to get by before I moved up - but she didn't pass by, she cut in front of me...I thought about saying something, she clearly saw that I was in line - almost every line in the store was this long and shoppers were all standing in aisles waiting to check out. I didn't say anything...she had 5 items, I had 15. I took a deep breath and hope that I am blessed in some way for keeping my temper in check and being generous with my time. She never even turned around and acknowledged me...

On the other side of the fence, I just recently moved into my new neighborhood. Today, my next door neighbor asked if my son and I would come over for dinner and some wine tomorrow. That's really nice. I like the idea of being part of a neighborhood vs. the nameless renters living all in the same apartment building...

It's nice being in suburbia...

And my son plays outside every day...and is able to ride his bike. I wake up to the sound of birds chirping...not the sound of sirens raging past my building.

Life is good.