11 years ago we moved to our current house. We picked it mostly because it was located in our preferred school district. It was one of 14 houses in a stand-alone community with a cul-de-sac at the top of the street. It was also almost twice the size of the house we moved from when you count the space in the basement. We were told that others who had seen it did not make offers because the backyard is small. They were concerned that it was inadequate for children. We had children, but were not concerned about the size of the yard, as our former backyard was massive and they rarely went out there.
We discovered, once we moved in, the neighborhood was teeming with other children to play with. Our two immediately joined the band of roving cul-de-sac children. I felt like we had won the lottery. Those who were concerned about the size of the yard for their children inadvertently turned down a gem. The house was great, but the neighborhood kids made living here a dream. In a world where it can be unsafe for children to roam freely like we did as children, our street provided an old-school type of safety. When we moved in there were 16 children between the ages of 2 and 14 on the street. They played together in and around all 14 houses. They biked and scooted in all of the driveways. They played giant games of Ghost in the Graveyard, Hide and Go Seek, and something they called Murder. They were always busy and stayed out until they were called in almost every summer night.
The dynamic constantly changed in the group as the children grew. Relationships changed. Some ended and some deepened. Eventually, they started graduating high school and moving on. Mine have both joined the list of those no longer living on the street. That has been sad. It has been fun, however, to watch the little ones become the big kids. Our driveway is still in the path of active play.
A few years back a new family moved in across the street from us. I was pleased that they had 3 younger children. Their oldest was a little younger than the two oldest girls still active in the roving group. Their addition also really tilted the numbers heavily female. I felt bad for the newest little guy because there were only 2 other boys on the street. One doesn’t like playing outside and the other is heavily involved in sports and isn’t available much. He has been a trooper hanging with all the girls. He has hung tight through neighborhood plays and all manner of stereotypical female activities.
Something awesome happened last weekend. A new family moved in on our end of the street. They have a boy approximately the right age. I have already witnessed multiple sword fights, gun battles, and monster truck rallies. I probably sound like Aunty Creepy over here, but the space where I write overlooks their yards. Looking out the window helps me think, so I see a lot. But also, children happily playing makes my heart happy. If there is sword-play outside my window, I am going to watch.
It is easy in our media-saturated culture to believe goodness is gone and all innocence is lost. There is a steady stream of bad news available 24 hours a day. Our neighborhood utopia has been a welcomed reprieve from all the bad news. On our cul-de-sac kindness still rules the day. Neighbors cut one another’s grass and help each other clear driveways when it snows. Little boys still have 6 shooters tucked into their elastic waistbands and little girls choreograph epic dance routines in their front yards. Creativity, friendship, and certain hijinks can be easily found. It is a magical place.
When we eventually decide to downsize and move away from this house, I will be sad. I do not believe we would be so lucky to land in a neighborhood like this a second time. One thing is for sure. I will never forget our cul-de-sac experience. I have learned so much about what a great community looks like.
Being mindful of our environment is a good idea. We need to surround ourselves with people and places that serve as reminders of what is important in life. Not all of us live in a neighborhood utopia. That does not mean that we can’t be surrounded by kindness and a wonderful community. We just have to be more deliberate with our relationships and where we spend our time. Sometimes we happen upon community and other times we have to create it ourselves.
I am so grateful for the well-timed sword fights over the weekend. Those rambunctious boys, without even knowing it, have provided me two great reminders: 1) Finding community can make our day, our month, or even our life. And, 2) We will never know who is witnessing our interactions. We may inadvertently provide Aunty Creepy with some great reminders and something to blog about. 😊