Decisions

After I checked in for final training and picked up my new down jacket for my Sundance Film Festival volunteer position yesterday, Mike and I went to see The King's Speech. What a fantastic movie. It highlighted for me again the importance one decision can make in your life, and in the world. If Edward hadn't been so besotted with Wallis Simpson and abdicated the throne, the outcome of WWII might have been much different--for all of us.
     It reminded me of the choices I make each day--some minor, some life-changing. Where would I be today if I had chosen another option even once in my lifetime? I doubt I would be sitting at my computer in Pleasant View, Utah, on this gray Sunday writing this blog. Perhaps I wouldn't even know Mike, wouldn't have my children--but let's not go there! It's too scary!
     How could our neighbors Chris and Kim know what their lives would be like when they chose to purchase the home next to us? We seemed innocent enough, but I'll give you one example of why they may regret that decision.
     Chris likes to do special things for Kim's August birthday and he told me he was going to take her to Park City and stay in a fancy place. As the day drew nearer I asked what they were going to do with Rudy while they were away. Rudy is the smartest, cutest, most energetic Jack Russell terrier alive, by the way. Chris said they were just going to leave him home. I was shocked! Kim comes home on her lunch break every day to let Rudy out to romp and play, and do his business, even if on most days she has to coax him from his comfy bed and run around outside to get him to walk off the porch. Now they were thinking of leaving him overnight???
     "Do you want us to put him out?" I asked.
     "You can if you want. You know where we hide the key," Chris said, in a nonchalant voice.
     That should have been a clue that maybe their plans changed, but no... Wanting to wait as late as possible so Rudy could make it overnight, at eleven o'clock I started bugging Mike to go with me to let Rudy out. Mike was already down for the night and not fond of the idea, but I persisted. So, pajama clad, we made our way via flashlight to the hiding place for the key, walked around to the front of the house, and opened the door. Rudy gave a muffled bark and Mike called out: "Rudy. Rudy. Let's go outside."
     From upstairs we heard a voice. "Mike. Is that you?"
     "Oh, #$%@," crossed both my mind and Mike's. (I know because we compared notes later!)
      After uttering embarrassed apologies, we hastily locked the door and replaced the key and returned to bed, though the grumbling from my spouse didn't cease until sleep overtook him.
     Outside our kitchen window the next morning (next to Chris and Kim's front door), a sign was posted: "HOUSE FOR SALE. GREAT NEIGHBORS. GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT WATCH PROGRAM. WILL CHECK ON PETS ANY TIME."
     Of course they didn't move, so they're still reaping the rewards of their decision to move next to us. Oh...and they make sure someone else checks on Rudy while they're gone now!

     Not every attempted good deed is appreciated!