Perceptions

Moving to a new area brings exciting new places to explore, shop and visit.  New friends open our eyes and hearts as we choose to know them better.  Yesterday one of our neighbors hosted an intimate little afternoon gathering for just this purpose.  It was our first chance to talk at length with either of them.  A brief introduction followed by an occasional wave as we walked our dogs along the streets was the extent of previous encounters.  The previous occupants of our home were there.  They too,  are dealing with the challenges of down-sizing a household.  This home that seems so tiny to us was the "big one" from which they moved.  She laments the "large closets" that seem so cramped to me.  Many of the things we love about this house are the very same things they miss.  He mentioned the view from the breakfast area windows with heavy nostalgia.  They miss watching the deer frolic in the yard early in the morning.  It's early this morning and still dark outside.  I wonder if the view of the twinkling lights across the hills stirred their spirit in the night.   We discussed our plans to finish the big-boy-playhouse and addition of a pool beside it.  Landscaping challenges unique to the hill country were compared and we indulged in our host's beautiful back yard.  Sitting beside the pool on the patio overlooking the outdoor fireplace with treetops just over the fence, it was hard to imagine any neighbors nearby.  That is, until the siren from the fire station erupted just over a block away.  No view of the emergency vehicles interrupted the serenity, but the sound had broken the spell.