The Gravel Pile

Last week our neighbor had a retaining wall built in her backyard. As part of the job the contractor had a full dump truck load of gravel dropped off in the street by her house. They hardly made a dent in the pile completing the wall. On Saturday she ventured out to attempt to move the remaining gravel into her backyard. Another neighbor family saw her working and went over to help for an hour or so. She offered to let us have as much gravel as we wanted for our paver project if we would just haul it away. After we got our 14 wheelbarrow loads we helped move 15 into her backyard for her. She did a few trips by herself, then another neighbor dropped by to help for a while, then another family, then a scout leader showed up with the 12 year old scouts for a while. Not to be outdone, the 10-13 year old girls in the area decided to help for a while.

By the time it got dark the massive pile that took up half the street that morning had dwindled to almost nothing. It was easily finished up another evening. It was amazing to watch the steady stream of people flow in and out all day long, all of their own volition. I’m so grateful we are surrounded by such great neighbors.