𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

This morning’s coffee on the patio doesn’t satisfy like it usually does.

Yesterday, my morning routine was interrupted by a phone call from a neighbor. I expected him to ask about a machine repair he’s been working on for me. But I was wrong. Instead, he told me that one of our renters had just passed away.

After the initial shock wore off, I drove up to the rental house. The driveway was blocked by EMS and two Sheriff’s cars. I joined three neighbors already there, quietly standing watch as the scene unfolded.

We’ve had that rental house for years. Steve and Jean have lived there for over a decade. Steve, the husband, has become a right-hand man for us, helping around the farm and keeping the mowing and weed trimming in check. While they paid rent, their value to us went far beyond a monthly check.

Watching first responders move in and out, seeing family arrive, and finally watching as Jean’s body was taken away by the local mortician, hit me with a wave of thoughts and emotions. But one thought kept repeating itself. It echoed yesterday’s Patio Pondering on being a good neighbor. I should have taken the time to visit with Jean.

I’ve written about this before, but some lessons are worth repeating. We need to make time for the people around us. My grandparents called it 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. That meant stopping by for a quick chat. No big plans. No event. Just checking in. Just being present.

More important than anything you might talk about in those moments is what it says. You matter to me.

So, who in your life needs a visit today?