Holiday Thanks

At year end, thanking everyone who has benefitted us during the past twelve months is a common practice. For most people, that would be a long list. It is difficult to get through any day without the help of others -- even if it is just the gift of a smile of understanding while standing in a long line during holiday shopping and shipping season. Today, I'll thank two people in detail, and I'll thank the many others, known and unknown, who helped me this year with a global word of appreciation -- thanks!

This morning, two of my neighbors shoveled me out of my driveway, where the city's snowplow had deposited a soft wall of snow at the foot of my driveway and I had got stuck trying to force my beloved Volvo through it. I had thought that a Swedish car would make short work of a Michigan snowpile, but I was wrong.

I was wrong about another thing, too. "I told you to shovel out that snow before you try to drive away or you would get stuck," my across-the-street neighbor cheerfully admonished as she wielded her super-ergonomic shovel on the right. (She had indeed so warned me.) On the left, my elderly next-door neighbor mock-groused, "Oh, the joys of winter." Although their words could be described as mildly annoyed, I didn't feel any spirit of annoyance. Their alacrity in bringing their shovels to my aid and the brisk work they made of getting my car free belied any hint of chagrin. Their message seemed friendly but clear -- I get one free pass this winter. As a transplant from Florida, I get to be stupid for the first month of winter storms, but after that I had better get outside, whether at 6 pm or 10 pm after the city's snowplow comes through, and free up that driveway entrance. Otherwise, the neighborly help may not be so freely given.

I'll have to check out my perception with my neighbors next week at a cider-and-gingerbread party that I'm planning to give. If I'm right, I'm glad that that is their message. Like many other people, I will accept a free pass if it is offered. If it is not offered, I will find a way to take responsibility for myself.

Thank you, neighbors, for your compassion. And thank you just as much for holding me to our neighborhood's standards. I like the idea that you think I can be strong enough to do what has to be done. And I'll gladly help shovel you out if you need it in the short days and long nights ahead. Just not repeatedly.