Thursday, May 2, 2013

Up the Lane Again (A continuation on A Handful of Stones)


After yesterday's post and the many comments that were given, I would first like to say thank you for your support and kind words and empathy. I would also be remiss if I didn't follow up with Part II of this saga.

Last night, as Jonathan was just finishing up his mowing and, again, was at the bottom of our yard by the lane, he hears someone approach. He turns and sees the kid who threw rocks along with the boy's dad. The dad shakes Jonathan's hand and says, "My son has something to say to you."

The kid looks at his dad, then at Jonathan. "I'm sorry I threw rocks at you. I shouldn't have done that."

Jonathan nods his head. "Thank you for your apology. I forgive you." Then he extends his hand. The boy stands up a bit straighter, grips Jonathan's hand, and they shake.

"This Saturday," says the dad, "if you need some chores done out here in your yard, you just call. He'll come down and help."

Then the boy hands Jonathan a note and, with another handshake from dad, they leave Jonathan to his mower. Jonathan opens the note, reads again the boy's apology and at the bottom of the note is the family's phone number for Jonathan to call if he has chores for him to do. A suggestion was even given from the lad as to what kind of chores: "I could pick up all the rocks in your yard so you don't mow on them." And then he signed his name.

Jonathan came inside and told me what happened. And I actually teared up. A great weight felt lifted, and it seemed for a moment that maybe the world wasn't quite so dark after all. Well, at least on our lane the sun was shining a little brighter.

top image from: purenourishment.wordpress.com 

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11 comments:

  1. Oh Anna, you couldn't fictionalize a better ending. I'm so happy for you and Jonathan. What a great dad to instruct his son about being a good citizen and a good neighbor.

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    1. Oh, Amy, how true - I ate a bunch of my words about that family yesterday. And it was again a reminder that you just never know what's going on behind closed doors. And it was so encouraging to see a dad engaged with his son and teaching him how to be a man. So cool.

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  2. I'm really, really glad that this turned out this way! I'm glad that the boys dad made him be accountable, like Amy said, to teach him to be a good neighbor. And how wonderful of Jonathan the respond with the same lesson. This made my morning!

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    1. I'm so glad, Kate! Like I said, it actually made me well up to hear Jonathan tell me about it. A really great moment.

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  3. This is is a lovely story, a great positive to move forward on from all sides.

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    1. I agree, Fiona - It turned out to be a win for everyone! Thanks for reading!

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  4. What an ending to this story! I am so glad to see that their is good in the world. I am relieved of my worry for these boys. Way to go Dad!

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    1. Way to go, Dad, indeed! It's amazing what teaching moments can come of these moments--and I'm delighted at how it seems to have been a learning experience for everyone. Myself included. Thanks, Kristi!

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  5. how wonderful...and I truly hope you both take the boy up on his offer. It would do him a world of good, to make good on his offer, and to even spend time with Johnathan.
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrowcreations

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    1. That's what we were thinking, Debbi - and I think it would be good for us to just get to know him and his family a bit better. No paths ever cross by accident.

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  6. I love stories that start off crummy and end up well. Hopefully this kid will stay out of juvie with the help of some good men in his life. :)

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