The People in my Backyard

I have a memory.  The last time I saw them, in my backyard.

Every summer we invite many friends and neighbors to enjoy our green grass, swimming pool and a cookout.

I can’t possibly spend enough time with all of them.  But they come.  They’ve gotten to know each other.  Some of them have become friends.

There was Paul.  I think of him as a father figure, tall grey haired, and with a twinkle in his eye.  I remember him sitting under the canopy enjoying conversation one summer.  That would be his last summer, and my last memory of him.

My neighbor Joan was there last summer.  My first Memory of her was when she came to our front yard, brought a chair and her own white wine with some ice cubes in it.  That became her trademark, that white wine with ice cubes and her entertaining banter.  Joan could tell quite an amusing story.  As she got older and into her 80s, she became wheelchair-bound and her son Greg took care of her. Greg devoted several years of his life to taking care of his invalid mother.  He was a witty, and charming man.  Greg liked to cook and loved to help make food for the barbecue.  He brought his mother to our cookout last summer.  I couldn’t spend nearly enough time with them because I had so many guests.

Sometimes I only see these people once a year.  They are old friends and business friends and neighbors and new friends.

We lost my neighbor Linda over the winter. Once again the last time I saw her was in the summer in my backyard.  Thank God for that barbecue and for the chance to see people.  We all work so hard and have so many commitments, and Linda worked too.  At her eulogy I heard from so many people who worked with her who were there to tell me just how special she was and what a good person she was. It made me think why didn’t I visit her more often.

Another friend heard about Linda and asked if she had met her.  I said yes, you saw her at the barbecues.  I searched for a photo.  She knew her instantly, as well as the two others in the photo, Joan and Greg.

We had a hard winter here and lost all three.

There they were in the photo, looking back at me: Joan, Greg and Linda.  The last time I would ever see them.

I think of the people in my backyard.  When I invite them, it is because I care about them and I enjoy them.  I’m so glad they came.