Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Loving my crooked neighbors with my own crooked heart

Monday I left my apartment at 8am, darting to the airport to board a 10am flight to Palm Springs for the day to represent my winery at a small tasting event. It was a long day, but a fun way to break up the monotony of a normal work week. When back to the airport at 6pm to board my first flight of the two-legged journey home, I checked a voice mail from my next door neighbor, which announced that they were making a 5 pound leg of lamb for dinner, and did I want to come over?

DAMN. THE. LUCK. I wasn't due to land back in San Francisco until about 10pm, so was doomed to a very rushed fast food airport dinner, at best. I returned the call, having to decline the invite, or so I thought.

"Well," my neighbor cheerily replied, "I'll be up all night working on a document for work, so when you get home come on over for a lamb sandwich if you want." I practically teared up at the relief of not having to stuff a very unappetizing Burger King meal into my mouth during my thirty minute layover.

So at 10:30 my weary body climbed the stairs of their porch and I knocked on the door. The house still smelled like lamb, and five minutes later I had sunk down on the couch, lamb sandwich and glass of red wine in hand. My neighbor took a much needed work break, and flipped the TV to a recorded episode of the Colbert Report, and we chatted while I ate, relaxed and happy.

I don't remember the exact context, but somewhere in the show there was a quote about "loving your crooked neighbors with your own crooked heart". That night, as with many of the nights of the last year living here, I felt so grateful for the block that I moved onto, and the wonderful friends I have found in my neighbors. To be welcomed in, taken care of after a day of weary travel, was indescribably valuable to me that night. And this was not an unusual occurrence around here - this is just how we roll. We really do love and take care of each other on this block.

It's awesome to feel so at home at home.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Hungry Dog said...

What fabulous neighbors! Lamb sandwich and a glass of red wine at the end of a long day...could it get any better? :)

1:07 PM  
Anonymous Diane said...

Damn girl- I am SO jealous. Seriously. Love that. I am moving to Cali.
Have a crazy 2 months ahead and trying to bust some things out but if I can't? I am SO heading your way by mid-Jan to the first $15/hr. job I can find and we will have LOTS of wine together! :)

Miss ya.

12:16 PM  
Anonymous beats by dre said...

What fabulous neighbors! Lamb sandwich and a glass of red wine at the end of a long day...could it get any better? :)

6:34 AM  

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