I live in a small town, not 100 yards from President Grant's birthplace. Everyone keeps their yards picked up, their homes in reasonable repair, and are friendly to one another. Except that one neighbor. And it hurts my soul because we are so blessed to be in this little historical setting - also the oldest settlement in our county. I feel that since we have so many people and school groups come into our town to tour Grant's Birthplace, we should take even more pride in our area. And we all do, except that one neighbor.
And it's more than that. We're talking biting dogs, barking dogs, dogs attacking our chickens and cats, property line disputes, their kids bullying ours, chopping down a shrub by our mailbox because they just didn't like it, putting nasty letters in just about everyone's mailboxes, and erecting small fences in the right of way between our properties so we couldn't mow behind our mailbox - and then lying to the township zoning office saying they did it because we mow all the way to their driveway, 66 feet away, which was a complete fabrication. My teenager mows, and it's chore enough to get him to mow OUR lawn. He certainly isn't mowing an additional 66 feet! When the township removed the little fence, they filed a police report saying we stole their fence. When they found that to not be the case, they trespassed onto my property to hang no trespassig signs on their fence - including the line about violators wil be prosecuted (and another hand written line stating "so will fence/sign stealers"). Then they went so far as to walk back onto my property and photograph my home without my knowledge - while my children were home alone.
That was the final straw. The sheriff referred me to the prosecutor's office then. We go for mediation next week. That is, if they show up. I'm not sure what it will show, except that we want to put an end to these silly games they play, while still behaving as adults. I'm not hopeful they'll keep their end to any agreement we may come to. It's hard to reason with unreasonable, entitled people.
I keep praying for peace on the matter. My faith tells me to love my neighbor, but I find myself wondering if some people are unlovable, and how that would impact my faith. Would I be a bad person? Would I earn an eternity in hell because I just could NOT love my neighbor? And what if mediation fails? What then? Do I have to move? Why should I be the one that moves? My husband's family has owned this house 1992; they've only lived here 6 years. I love this area. I love that my home was built on the original foundation of Grant's birthplace in the 1890's, and moved to the little hill where it now sits in 1936. Why should I give that up for people who just cannot be reasoned with?
It's even harder when you have kids. Even when their kids are calling mine "gay" or "liars" - I have to teach mine to be polite, always. My girls have learned a lot about life not being fair thanks to my neighbors. I would've wanted them to be a bit older than 5 and 6 before that lesson needed taught.
So...have you had neighbor drama? What did you do when ignoring the situation didn't make it go away? How do you find a happy place where everyone compromises and can live peacefully next to each other? Is that even a realistic expectation? I'd love to hear your advice!
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