Where Is The Love?
Ok, so i’m out in TN, right outside Nashville. first thing. I guess out here they really envy us on the western side, they call whatever city they are in what ever the first 3-4 letters then -Vegas hence where i got Nash-Vegas. Really odd if you ask me.
The people are out here are of course basically nicer, I have experienced that in several different ways, from the way neighbors interact, the service at restaurants, even people waving as they are driving. i almost just wrote its not better, just different, but today i experienced something that made me erase that line because in ways it is better.
On sat a GREAT friend of mine, Joshua, who i had not seen in far too long drove over from NC to hang out with us for a few days, we all go way back. Well on Sunday we were on the porch chatting before he took off for the 5(6) hour drive home, time zones can be a killer. Well, we were talking when we heard a noise across the street, look over and the guy who had been playing with his two 3 year old twins was having a seizure in his garage. We run over and call 911 and of course they show up with sirens blaring and they whole nine. Of course, just like in cali, the neighbors come out as they all decide it’s the perfect time to walk the dog or check the mail. Typical, i thought in the back of my mind as this dude is having a serious problem and people just want ot rubber neck. then something strange happened, a few didn’t just stand on the edge of the grass or in the street, they came up the drive way and into the group of medics and starting chatting with the guy. they had his wife’s number, guess they are having issues and she is staying at her moms, knew about his kids and had genuine concern for their neighbor. I kind of know my neighbors, but its almost weird to interact, and I had to force the initial contact, everyone just sticks to themselves and the things they know, and i know so many people don’t. It is truly a forced thing in Cali.
Well with the fire dept there and the medics there, Angie and one of the fire guys were calming the girls down, the wife drives up. How scary is that, to drive up to your house and see an ambulance and fire truck, needless to say, she was stunned. She had the girls and the dad went to the hosp.
…later that night…
as we were playing cards a knock on the door at like 930, Angie and Calebs crazy dog starts barking up a storm like usual. anyways, it was dude, he came over to say thanks for helping him out earlier. Caleb and i go on the porch to chat with him and talk about life and what not, guess his wife dropped him off at the house and took off, well we ask to pray over him and begin to, and then he has another seizure, yup after getting out of the hosp and them giving him meds and stuff he has another one. Have to call 911 again, they come out, same crew as before, GREAT people there too. Seriously nice people, one gave me a hard time about my hair, but in great humor, so much respect for them. Think about it, such a blessing he was over our place when he had it or he would have been home alone when he had the other one, BAD NEWS!!! anyways, neighbors come over again, and again genuine concern. The medics said he couldn’t stay alone and asked what he thought he could do, immediately one neighbor said its fine if he stayed over at their place, they had a couch bed and would love to have him if he needed it. come on, really? That in cali? YEAH RIGHT!!!! people for one, would not even know the guy probably, second, wouldn’t go up to talk with him, third be more worried about him suing them if something happened.
what the heck? i mean, in no way am i even considering moving out here, which has been brought up a few times. but that was a reminder of things lost. maybe we can bring them back, genuine concern for those around us.
