Fences

We have an open lot next to our house that we cleared last year. Clearing it was the best thing we could have done when it comes to maintenance and usage, but there were a few drawbacks. We lost our privacy. When we had the woods next to us no one could see us outside our patio.

There were some nice things that occurred from it too, like getting to know a nice elderly couple above us. They are in their 70s or 80s, probably more like their 80s. While we tilled a garden, Bud would come out and talk to my husband. He would jokingly tease my husband about all the work he put into it. It's almost like it reminded them of how much they liked gardening but because of bodily ailments couldn't really do anymore. His wife got to know my kids. When I would pick green beans she would come out and talk to me. We started a nice friendship, and many nice conversations about all kinds of subjects came forth from meeting them.

Sometimes we wished we had the privacy again though, because they could see any crazy idea we had. And we have lots of them! So eventually, like 3 weeks ago, we rearranged our fence. We had a backhoe come and dig. He moved some fencing around, added some new fencing up, tilled a new area for the garden, and yesterday we went and bought tomato, green and red pepper, and strawberry plants. It's nice to be able to do things without being watched. But I wonder if the elderly couple miss seeing us. The fencing is nice, but in the process I feel like we have stopped being a blessing. There was a cost for our fence that was more than money and labor.




We often build fences to keep us safe from getting hurt and for privacy, and there is a lot of good in that. But sometimes I think we build fences and keep people we could otherwise befriend out or at a safe distance. Yesterday, as I pondered our loss, I thought about my neighbors. Perhaps I'll go visit her sometime soon.