Keith, the UPS guy

I've told this story this weekend to anyone who would listen. Since it's still on my mind - and since you are a captive audience - I'm going to write about it.

I have a set of neighbors that don't seem to like me much. Maybe they think I'm wonderful, I don't know, but based on the two years they have lived next to me, and the fact that I've about given up on them simply waving "hello" to me and the fact that they'll see me coming and hurry and turn their backs to avoid making eye contact with me, I think it is safe to say they aren't fans of the Deason clan.

I guess that's okay. I miss my old neighbor. I used to love stepping outside and being pleasantly surprised to see Brit or Jake out. We would wave, say "hello", sometimes have a conversation, but they never failed to put a smile on my face. I was thrilled when they got engaged, cried when they got pregnant, fell in love with their baby boy and full out bawled when they moved.

I don't know why the current homeowners don't find me fabulous. The dislike is compounded by the fact that their house has a small basement that has been converted into an apartment. Those renters don't like me either. I haven't done anything to make them mad. I keep my yard tidy. We don't have wild parties on the weekend. We mind our business. But our "hello" waves are seldom returned.

Saturday I was weeding my flower bed that is connected on one side by their driveway. I was digging and weeding when I heard their gate click. I turned to say hello when I realized the neighbor-gal had walked right behind me and was heading back into the house. I was so mad but all I could do was laugh.

I shook my head in dismay and continued with my gardening. A few minutes passed when I heard the sound of a stroller nearing. I looked up in time to see a young gal approaching. I recognized her from church that my neighborhood attends. I smiled and said "hello". She looked at me and turned her head the other way and ignored me.

WHAT THE CRAP?

I have raised my family to be friendly and helpful to all they meet regardless of the color of their skin, their financial place in society, any political standings and especially regardless of anyone's religious preferences. I have always felt it was important to really see the human being behind all the facades we inevitably build around us and judge a person on their character. Where I go wrong is expecting the same treatment.

Sigh. I'll get off my soapbox and back to the story I intended to write.

Okay, so the weeding continued. I was angry, hurt, dismayed, astounded. You name it, I was feeling it. I was furiously tossing weeds into the trash can when I heard the UPS truck pull up. Out stepped the delivery guy without a package in his hand. He was walking towards me, so I pulled off my gloves, brushed off the dirt and went to meet him halfway.

A couple of years ago I was taking Hailey to feed the ducks. I swung into the bread store to get some bread and was chatting with the gal at the check-out when the UPS guy came to make a delivery. We all ended up talking for a few minutes, but since then, I see him regularly and we smile and wave.

The UPS guy walking towards me was THAT guy. I know I must have had a VERY confused look on my face. Because, well, I was CONFUSED! He stuck out his hand and said, "I see you all the time, you always smile and wave at me. I saw you out here and it dawned on me that I don't know your name. I'm Keith."

That random act changed my whole day.