What some people call being more observant, others might call being nosy.  

Retirement has been interesting. Though I have not had a shortage of things to do these last almost two months, I’m now doing them from home. That’s a big difference. 

I’m not sitting in my living room eight hours a day looking out the window though. In fact, I spend most of my time in the basement working at my desk or sorting papers.  

But I come up for air periodically and it’s then that I have occasion to look out the front window. And, when you do that a few times a day, you can’t help but get a little bit of the pulse of the street. 

I remember back in Edmonton we lived next door to a fireman. He was the eyes and ears of the street. He knew what everyone was doing, their schedules, what they brought home and when they went on vacation. 

Working the kind of shifts that gave him several days off in a row, he had time to stay on top of the street happenings. 

It was a little comforting too. 

We knew that someone was watching our place if we were away. If a package was put by our door, no one was going to come along and take it. It was better than having a door cam. 

I wouldn’t say I’m the eyes and ears of our street – well, at least not yet. There are a couple other retired guys who fill that spot. But I’m noticing things … my neighbours got new vehicles and some on the street don’t use their composter. 

And then there’s the guy behind us across the road. He is the most interesting.

For the last two months, I’ve noticed he gets a newspaper of some kind dropped on his driveway once a week. The paper comes in a plastic bag … which is a good thing because it remains there, near the end of his driveway, all week! 

Depending on where the paper lands, it will get driven over several times during the week. No one picks the thing up. 

I first wondered if he was the only one getting this paper, but then I noticed last week that his neighbour gets one too. However, contrary to this guy, his neighbour takes his into his house within a couple of hours.

Last week we got some sloppy snow and this guy’s paper not only was driven over, but it got wet and ground into the driveway. 

I know that this is none of my business and that I shouldn’t care a second about the paper that is on this guy’s driveway – right now, by the way – but I want to know what is going through the guy’s head. 

Why doesn’t he just pick up the paper and throw it into his recycling bin?

My observations have turned into story lines that I have been creating in my mind. I wish I could get to the bottom of it. 

Here’s the thing: We can’t know what goes on in someone else’s mind. We don’t know what they are thinking and believing, but we can present them with the knowledge and opportunity to believe in an eternal God who loves them, sent His Son to die for them, and desires to show them His love and acceptance.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What gets you curious about others around you? Leave your comments and questions below.

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