Friends: Janet & Kathy
My mom and our neighbour
Hey friend, you may have noticed that I took a short break from writing. Candidly, it was because I needed some time to refresh and to think. I usually prefer to write longer pieces and so, from today, expect a post every two weeks. This will give me the time and energy to deliver my finest thoughts.
“We communicate through joy and love,” my mom says of her friendship with our neighbour, Kathy.
Even though Kathy has been living a few houses down the street from us for what must be over five years, my mom’s connection with her was formed thanks to our dog, Gloria and Kathy’s dog, Coco.
Coco who is always a gentleman came to introduce himself to Gloria when she first arrived on the street as our new puppy. Today, nearly four years later, my mom and Kathy walk the two mini poodles together multiple times a week and in September 2023, the two wed in a small but intimate ceremony attended by immediate family.
Despite a language barrier, my mom and Kathy find it easy to communicate by sharing recipes and dog treats and gossiping about their kids.
“Kathy is a happy person,” my mom says. “She has a kind heart.”
“Thank you,” says Kathy.
The two have managed to develop a strong bond and Kathy whose first language is Mandarin says that her English has been improving because she’s able to practice frequently with my mom.
“I feel lonely when the children go to school,” says Kathy. “I have a dog but I can’t meet new friends so I am thankful to Gloria.”
“Kathy is very creative,” says my mom.
For Gloria’s birthday last year in May, Kathy attached a plush rose to Coco’s collar and had him deliver it to his then financé.
“It’s nice to know that I have someone on the street who is a teammate,” says my mom.
With time, the dogs and their mothers have grown closer. Kathy has taken my mom to the Buddhist temple and they both consider one another great confidants.
It’s pleasant to know that there is someone on our street whose doorbell we can all ring without warning. “Come taste your mother-in-law’s cooking,” my mom tells Gloria after Kathy delivers homemade dumplings.
“We are childish at heart. That is why Kathy and I get along,” my mom says.
