This past weekend has been difficult for our team, as we said good-bye to one of our teammates. After Saturday morning's sad and grief-filled good-bye, I entered Neighborhood Day (a weekly day we spend in the neighborhood, simply living life and hanging out), with a somber attitude. Maybe it was this somber attitude that made the following moments so delightful and full of beauty for me. I cannot say for certain, but yesterday was full of giggling whimsy in the most beautiful of ways. I want so share these moments of Neighborhood Day with you, as they were gifts to me.
Gifts from Neighborhood Day:
*Winning the yellow ball from the claw machine at the laundromat
The yellow ball was calling my name. It made no logical sense to pawn off 50 cents for a possibility of winning this yellow ball, but I chose to do it. AND THEN THE CLAW GRABBED THE BALL AND IT BOUNCED ENOUGH THAT I WON IT!! My teammates and I played a game of volleyball in the laundromat and finished washing and drying our clothes.
*Getting coffee from the corner store, and getting one for free
Erin (my teammate) and I went to Jaquez Grocery at the corner of Reedland, and we each got a coffee. Erin talked to the store owner in Spanish (impressive) about him working there and the store and life in general. When our coffee was done, they found out that they only had one lid that fit, so the clerk gave us one coffee for free (so kind and unexpected)! We sat on the porch, sipping our coffee and talking to the neighbor kids (I got to talk about the Civil War with a boy, which was a beautiful moment in its own sense.)
*Playing volleyball (or something like volleyball) across the backyard fence with the yellow ball from the laundromat
Tonya (my teammate) came out front and said that the neighbor kids were in the backyard and wanting to play. Curious, I went back there (our backyard is small and is a fenced in patio--how were we to play?) I walk our there and sure enough there are two smiling faces, giggling. "Hi," I spoke, tentatively, "My name is Amber." We made introductions and then I looked at the yellow ball in my hand and said, "I won a yellow ball at the laundromat, do you wanna play?" I couldn't see them due to the tall wooden fence, but I heard their giggles (and they heard mine) as we tossed the ball back and forth over the tall fence that separated our patio yards. It was a whimsical time in the most beautiful of ways. Giggles, laughter, mystery--the gifts of kids.
*Walking through the neighborhood with my teammate Brandon
Walking and just existing in our new home is a gift. We explored corner stores, said hi to clerks, saw a neighbor from our block (which is so cool to be seeing familiar faces!) We found a bridge that goes over the SEPTA railroad, a row house with gorgeous plants, dried black beans and jazz music. It was delightful.
*As Craig and Joe (my teammates) we cooking food for community dinner, I went on the back porch/enclosed patio to scrap gum off of my shoe. WHAT A GIFT to hear the four kids next door (two being the ones I played volleyball with), belting out "Let it Go" all together, smiles lighting up their faces. I sat on the stoop and just giggled, receiving the gift we were giving. After "Let it Go" it was another Frozen song, and then another, and then another. AND THEN they went on repeat and went back to "Let it Go." Suddenly, a window flew open from the row house directly in my eyesight, and a young teenager joined in on "Let it Go." A few of my teammates came out to the backyard and started belting the song out as well, making it ten practical strangers who were unified by "THE PAST IS IN THE PAAAASSSTTT...LET IT GO!!!" Mmmmmm...GIFT!
*Community dinner
It was such a gift to have people over for dinner and hear about the history of a block party on Reedland St. (YES PLEASE!!) There was so much laughter over dinner, as we talked about food we had had and food we hadn't had and bonded over sloppy joes and roasted vegetables. After we were finished eating, four more people from our block came in. It was this young boy's birthday, (I'll call him Tony), so we all sang happy birthday to him (he turned 6!) Ten minutes later, as these four were leaving, the young boy said he wanted us to come sing for him at his house. We walked a few doors down to his house...(and I thought we were just singing Happy Birthday, but the surprise was that this little boy was going to gift us!)
*Tony's birthday party
8:30pm Saturday night, my team walks into Tony's house to sing to him and are greeted by the sounds of Sanford and Sons, and the welcoming greetings of at least 10 people (many of which we knew). There were hugs, introductions, and joy all around. Eventually, the cake was lit with a single candle that declared "6," and we (his family and my team) sang:
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Tony,
Happy birthday to you.
How old are you?
How old are you?
How old are you?
How old are you?
May God bless you.
May God bless you.
May God bless you.
May God bless you
We clapped and the cake was cut and given to all of us (BY TONY) who were there. Tony kept coming up and smiling at everyone, soaking it all in. When time came for ice cream, he gave the Butter Pecan filled cups to us, smiling in my eyes (and with his front teeth missing) as he extended his little hands towards me. "Thank you, Tony," I said, smiling, feeling entirely gifted by this young boy who's special day it was and yet he was sharing that joy with others. As my team began to leave, he kept reminding us that "You know you can stay, right?! You don't have to leave!" The welcome. The beautiful welcome. The hugs, the laughter--family and celebration. To have been a part of this young boy's celebration with his family was such an unexpected gift and surprise. My heart was full.
*Intimate worship with all lights down and souls open to the One who leads me to sing
After a day full of moments like the ones above, we ended the night in complete worship. It was so spontaneous, and so beautiful and rich. God is sovereign, and is in the midst of all--sorrow and joy and everything in-between. Amen.
