Shady Dealings in the Neighborhood

It seems we have established a joint custody arrangement regarding the newest youngster at the family home. The little mimosa tree named Seymour has his first blooms and the neighbors are all atwitter about it.



Earlier this week, shortly after sunset, our doorbell rang. We weren’t expecting anyone, so my wife and I looked at one another quizzically as I flipped on the light that illuminates the front porch. Peering through the window, I saw our neighbor the doctor and his lovely wife standing there…beaming.

Of course, I invited them in, even before I realized they were bearing gifts. The doctor, having noted our struggles as we tried to get a mimosa tree to thrive in a section of our yard adjacent to his house, raised the little sapling for us in a pot and planted it in our yard himself. He noticed the new blooms; and like a proud god parent, he brought over a basket with champagne and orange juice (so we can make mimosas!) and a card proclaiming that we have “The Cutest Baby Ever.” Inside the card were photos he took of the blooms.



The four of us chatted for a good long while about the progress of our little project. I explained that the tree is thriving because my wife talks to it on a daily basis. The doctor said he has been carefully watering it, too. If it takes a village to raise a child, then it must take neighbors, three of whom are health care professionals, to grow a tree in historic drought conditions.



It is said that good fences make good neighbors, and maybe that’s true; working together toward a common goal helps, too. One day soon maybe we will share the benefit of shade from our little friend. In the meantime, we should probably set up lawn chairs in the driveway and drink champagne and orange juice. Mimosas for everybody!

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