“Live in harmony with each other. Enjoy the company of all people." ~ Romans 12:16
Shandra sat on a balcony straining to see the street below.
At 93, her curious eyes were failing. In her much younger years, few pleasant
sounds could be heard on this street.
Police and ambulance sirens.
Occasional gunfire. Their television played loud enough to mask the vicious
yelling from the apartment next door. She (10) and her brother (8) were often home
alone.
Mom showed them places
to hide when they felt scared - in the bathtub with the shower curtain drawn,
beneath a pile of clothes in the closet, under the kitchen sink with some pots
and pans. They weren’t allowed to go outside while she was at work.
They couldn’t ride their
bikes outside or walk in the nearby park. The sound of children’s laughter,
cheers from athletic competition, and greetings of friends were absent from
this neighborhood. Shandra had never moved from this place, but the streets
below were now much safer and quieter. Less like a war zone – more like a
community.
Her reminiscing was
interrupted by the melodic chimes of an ice cream van rounding the corner four
floors below. A symphony of joy drew opposites closer together.
With wide smiles and shrill
pleas for cones, popsicles, and other frozen treats, kids rushed the truck from
every direction to claim the melting creations. Such a welcome surprise on any
day. Always random. Forever bringing a sweet rush of pure happiness.
Vincent straightened
his shirt collar as he exited the hardware store. Without appearing too eager,
he searched his pocket for cash and nonchalantly sauntered toward the music box
on wheels.
Saul and Anna stopped
by the synagogue after an exhausting day. They heard the happy tune and, grinning
at each other, stepped back outside and headed toward the treat mobile.
Chen knew leftovers could
wait for dinner. Meandering through the neighborhood, he heard the excitement
and picked and rushed toward the crowd. Desert should come first he reasoned.
Officer Haily sat in
her parked patrol car writing up another report. She rolled down the window to
listen, set her paperwork aside, and joined the chorus of frosty aficionados.
Bryce had lost his job...
and his girlfriend. His eyes were closed. Hearing the distant chimes, he jumped
up. No more self-pity! Time to change his life’s trajectory and treat himself
to a little bliss.
Shandra made her way
to the van just in time.
The ice cream truck
entering When you hear an ice-cream truck on your street, it signals that the
sweetness of summer fun is just around the corner and maybe even a chance to
reconnect with your neighbors after a long, cold winter.
