Busy Body Lady
There is this woman who lives on our street; we call her Busy Body Lady (BBL). If there is a fire (there have been 3 on our block since we moved in 8 years ago) she’s there- lurking in the shadows, gleaning what ever information she can. If an ambulance shows up, she’s there, lurking, asking, talking, hitting up all the other neighbors for more information.
We call her BBL because any time we talk with her, she tells us anything we might (or might not) want to know about everyone in the neighborhood. This past spring when I would return from driving the morning carpool I would find her and her bike in a neighbors yard…weeding. It was a different yard every week, and the neighbors weren’t home. I’m pretty sure she considers herself the neighborhood beautification committee. Aaron and I giggled (ok, aaron doesn’t giggle) about it, saying if we ever found her in our yard…oh my (we’re not near as hip to yard issues as we should be)!
I got to thinking more about this recently. To some it might seem very kind that we have a neighbor who will anonymously do good deeds and weed peoples yards. So, why does it rub me the wrong way? Because I don’t trust her motives. I believe she does it because she is fed up with the lazy home owners on our block, so she takes matters into her own hands. Why do I think this? All of her busy body ways just lend themselves to this sort of thinking.
Then, I got really deep and likend this to my relationships with family & friends. Do I sometimes bristle at something that is said and done- assuming I know the motivation because of a shared history? Isn’t one of the beautiful things about age and maturity, the ability to CHANGE and grow? Heaven help me if people still judge and react to the 10-years-ago-me. I wondered if I should start taking things at face value- allowing for growth and change in others- not bristling based on the past?
Ah, look at me, I’m growing up and maturing, I’m sure my mom is so proud! This PSA is brought to you by a sleep deprived mother of 3, you’re welcome.
p.s. a tutorial later this week, if I can just get it finished!
September 21st, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I had the same thoughts last week. I don’t want people thinking of me as the teenager I was. Being married and having kids has really mellowed me (Bryan doesn’t really agree wih that but I think you can attest to that).