Probably the most irreverent Easter newsletter
Weiner Wednesday, Neighbors, and the Power of Proximity
*The above audio is an excerpt from my book about neighboring. I don’t know how to move this to the bottom lol. Real newsletter below!
At dinner last night, a couple asked us if we liked our neighborhood. ELL OH ELL. Yes, we told them, we love them, in fact. We do have one neighbor couple on the street who, I’m convinced only comes out in the cover of night, or they’re operating a full scale witness protection house. They came to one neighbor Christmas party and I think the white elephant portion was too irreverent for them after the “stress balls” were fought over with lively anatomical commentary. But we all know I am 12 years old in this department as seen in Weiner Wednesday content. This is not what I came here to talk about. But I would like to leave you with this image from my walk. God does have a sense of humor, I am convinced.
Back to neighboring. Some people can live on a farm or a large plot of land away from people and civilization. It’s a free country, but I am convinced our family would perish—I have birthed too many extroverts. People think I am one of them, but I retreat quietly to my cocoon as they people their brains out. While Nato stays till the party ends, my neighbors will tell you I excel at the art of the Irish exit. This is the long way of saying, introvert or extrovert, we need proximity to people. Proximity is, in my opinion, the greatest relationship builder of all time. It is also the most seasonal and I think people have a problem with this because it’s not always “Long term”. To that, I say, let the season be what the season is without lamenting when friendships change as proximity changes. Proximity is demanding, powerful, and sometimes the glue of the relationship. I think, more hurt feelings than necessary come because this is not verbalized?
Anyway, I am thinking about neighbors this Easter because we are hosting the annual egg hunt. Being smack dab in the middle of the culdesac AND having the street’s mailbox at the end of our driveway , comes with great responsibility to harass our neighbors as they walk passed and glare at cars driving too fast(we used to make fun of those people)—but also to coordinate events. These events are extremely last minute, but the point is not picking the perfect date ahead of time—it’s the random ask. If you ask enough, your neighbors will eventually cave! Follow me for more strategies on making your neighbors come to your house.
There’s something here about being brave and asking your neighbors if they like you enough to give you their Easter or a random Friday—You will have to pep talk yourself on the first go. Maybe something about risking rejection(what if no one comes?). Or maybe the something is simply flexing a hospitality muscle that gets stronger every time you do it. Mostly, if you have proximity with people you haven’t spoken to, maybe today is the day you make a new path. I think you might be surprised with the untapped relational richness right in front of you.
Possibly not an A+ Christian for not writing something overtly scriptural on this Holiest of weekends,
Jami
P.S.
P.S.S. Here is a Holy instagram Post about Easter and God resurrecting my marriage.
Ashley Next Door, Lindsay & Brandy Down The Street… 🤣😂🤣
Love this all so much.
I love this so much. I appreciate your candor and honesty and just being you. Thank you!!