old man in a robe

Don (white hair, white beard, red and blue stripped robe, and glasses) is walking one of his “Min Pins” (a Chihuahua like creature) down the street. They saunter off the sidewalk as the dog explores the neighbor’s driveway. Don looks hesitant to leave the sidewalk but the dog is insistent. No one is ever up at that house, at this hour. They won’t disturb anyone. When the dog has relieved herself they turn and head back to Don's house.

It is cool out. And Don takes the dog for a walk in his robe with his shins exposed to the morning air. I am grateful for retired neighbors. Don and Susan are kind. They walk their dogs many times each day and are part of the hum of this place. They are part of what makes it a neighborhood. Binding us together in some strange way. They own three of those noisy beasts. When he walks all three at once we call ‘it’ the Hydra: the multi-headed beast of ancient Greece. When he stops to talk with us they yap and run about his legs tying him up in a great knot. He ignores the clamor and the chaos. It makes me laugh, a deep laugh of awe and wonder at the absurdity of this life. I am grateful for these simple pleasures: a retired neighbor, small dogs, quiet mornings, the sunrise to wake me.