Beyond Borders

You will recall that this year our pastor has encouraged us to reach out to the community in unique ways. Here is an amusing tale of how that went for one of our members. Next time you see Karleen, why not ask her if she's had any follow-up with her neighbors? --Sherry

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New neighbors had moved into the condo next to me. I wanted to be "neighborly" and go "beyond borders," so I took a small loag of my homemade pumpkin bread, put it into a gift bag, tied a pretty bow on it, and headed over to my new neighbors. I also had a tag with my name and number on it so they would be free to call me if I could be of any help. 

The lady who had lived in the condo before had a two- or three-inch metal edging installed in the landscaping area, which came to a sharp corner at the sidewalk leading to the main door. 

I headed down the walk and turned the corner, At that point, the metal edging and my foot collided, and I went crashing down to the cement walk against more metal edging. I landed on my right side, with my shoulder getting the worst of the fall. 

As I lay there, a thought came to me: What if I've fallen and can't get up? The door to this condo is in the back, and NO ONE was around. 

I decided to see what parts of my body were "moveable." Slowly--very slowly--I tried out he parts of my body that might help me get up. I could tell that nothing was broken--what a relief! I don't know how I did it, but I managed to get up. I stood for a minute or so and decided I could walk. I went to the door and rang the doorbell a couple of times, but no one was home. 

I returned home and decided to take a rest as I was feeling quite sore, and my shoulder had limited movement, but I was so very thankful because it could have been so much worse!

I went back another day--being very careful of the edging. Again, no one was home. 

The next day I noticed their garage door was open; owever, no car was around. Again, I went to the main door first--again very careful of the edging. No one came to the door so I went into the open garage and left the bread on a box right by the door. 

"Beyond Borders" was quite a unique experience for me. I trust it will be an opening for something better. However, the next time I go "beyond borders," I hopt to be careful to step over the border!

Karleen Howe