a block of family

last night was our neighborhood block party...an annual event inspired 3 years ago by many many coolers of beer and food leftover from stepson's graduation party. there was no need for that much beer to be sitting unattended in our garage, so we dragged a grill to the grassy area of our cul-de-sac, knocked on doors, fired up the grill, and the Annual Block Party was born. it usually coincides with the Boy Scouts annual lobster sale, but neighbor's schedules this year (namely mine) delayed it by a week. it was cold and rain threatened, although i double-dared the skies to open up. they kept to themselves. this is how we build community here on Cumberstone Lane. This is how the children meet, and the new neighbors meet the old neighbors and get a sense of what we have built here - neighbors as family. and they know who they feel most comfortable calling for an in-a-pinch babysitter or a ride here or there. we are people who decide not to sell our houses and move away because of the neighbors. and the one or two who do, always try to make it back for this party. and the one or two who do move, leave a part of themselves here...the man who has been secretly plowing my driveway on snowy mornings when he sees my husband's car gone and knows i will have to struggle with the snowblower in addition to the usual morning stuff...and amazingly, we are almost all artists...painters, woodworkers, stained glass, assemblage...all this creativity in one small cul-de-sac. i have a neighbor who i'd meet in the street in our bathrobes with a freshly glued or painted piece - just for a quick check on progress or advice on how to proceed through a block. the mailman shakes his head. he's known us all for years and expects it. in the winter, as the snow piles up, we all retreat into our cocoons, but know our neighbors are there to lend a hand. this year we plan to have a few chili dinner nights (indoors!) so hopefully the strands will strengthen even more. there was a different vibe on our street this year, as two neighbors took a break from each other. it upset a lot of the balance, and sense of family. there were no hillbilly driveway parties, and not so many other events. but this end-of-season gave everyone a chance to realize & re-establish that it still is a block of family. at Squam this year, i saw that, as well. there were 2 families there - kids, husbands, etc. and at first i thought...kids?? little, loud, unpredictable kids?? who would do this?? and one night i went exhausted back to the cabin, the daddies were sitting in rocking chairs in front of the fire talking, and i realized how wonderful that they could be a part of community too. how incredible that these daddies came along to see what this experience was about...to join with their wives and kids and all these women. and i remember thinking that they were the ones that would have kiddie duty all day, in the woods, with no TV or other distractions. and i gave them an invisible hug and sent fairy dust to them for their selflessness and for wanting to be there. so, no real point to this post - just rambling about connections. now - to finish up the mannequin! L.