My neighbors, Cerena and Shawna, hosted their fourth annual spring tea for the neighborhood women. Everyone comes if at all possible because Cerena and Shawna provide such a warm and lovely ambiance promoting relaxation and neighborliness. It is a morning of connection and beauty and taste thrills. We are all so busy normally, with no time for greeting our neighbors. This is an opportunity to see many of them and hear a bit about what has been going on with each family.

This year’s event was especially important so that we could all see Cerena up and about. She was in a terrible accident in the fall and has had a series of surgeries in Anchorage and Seattle. Shawna has clearly taken excellent care of Cerena. Both of them exude their usual warmth and cheer and look terrific. (Busy in their service mode of nurturing joy and fellowship, though, they would not talk about the stressful accident or aftermath today.)

Cerena is not the only neighbor to have had trauma in the neighborhood. I got news of my friend who had an aneurism burst in her brain a few months ago.  She is reportedly now home, mentally herself except for some short-term memory loss, and with one leg not ready to function yet. A third neighbor who had serious cerebral issues after falling on the ice a few years ago is amazingly back to full-normal now. Disasters are sometimes followed by miracles in this neighborhood!

I spent most of my time at the party with another nearby, longtime neighbor who I did not even recognize, to my shame. I have not seen her since before she lost her husband almost two years ago, soon before I left to move in with my father. Years ago, her oldest son was also killed in a horrible accident. No one should have to deal with such tragedy, and she has been through it twice! She could use a miracle, too. She came to this party, bless her, so maybe a miracle is unfolding for her, too.

It was a lovely welcome and introduction back to the neighborhood for me. People asked me how long I was visiting this time, and I was happy to reply that I am home to stay now. I made and accepted offers to walk with a few of my neighbors, now that winter is loosing its grip. It’s good to be home.