Good neighbors are good with or without fences

If Robert Frost had our neighbor, he never would have written “Mending Wall” and its most quoted line, “Good fences make good neighbors.”

When we moved in 15 years ago, the only neighbors we had were literal, not figurative. We had neighbors with no fences. When each neighbor installed a fence both apologetically explained the fence logic. One needed privacy when he installed a hot tub on a rear deck. The other neighbor was anticipating a dog.

The hot tub neighbor has since moved. The other’s dog is long gone. The fence is not, but it might as well be. We catch-up on each other’s lives at the fence.

It was in an “over-the-fence” (OK it was across the fenceless front yard) that I discovered there were two more December birthdays celebrated there than I previously knew about.

The Beans have two grown sons, Philip and Lance, born at the beginning of the month. Mom, Bonnie’s birthday is Dec. 30.

This past year could have been a faith-testing year for Bonnie. Her brother, Terry died unexpectedly last spring. Her husband, Brownie, had a middle of the night medical emergency that scared us all. (She voiced concerned that the rescue squad might have awaken us. It hadn’t.)

Happily Brownie recovered and they celebrated their golden anniversary in October.

Bonnie (and Brownie) are active with the Jerusalem Second Baptist Church. She has run the annual garage sale and maintains the grounds as well doing any other job needed to be done.

Both of our calendars can become crowded with appointments, but we are aware of the goings on in the neighborhood — specifically at each other’s house. When my car is stationary for more than two days, I think she starts cooking chicken soup to cure what ails me.

Bonnie is gracious, caring, faithful (in two senses) and beautiful. When she smiles the world seems aglow.

I’m positive even celebrating on New Year’s Eve is for Bonnie. What else could it be?

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