Window Waving

Over the last 3 months, I have begun my weekday mornings with a little routine as I leave the apartment. You see, I live on the second floor of the building and I know that the couple who live below me have a young boy (2-3 years old). "My" parking space happens to be right outside the window of the room this little boy calls his own. Most mornings, regardless of what time, I will get into my car, put my seatbelt on and proceed to turn the key.

Now, occasionally the engine will not turn over on the first try, so I will sit there and have to make 3 or 4 attempts. (I'm sure this could be repaired, but I can't afford that at this point in time.) It's not a huge deal, but it is annoying.

Well, I began to notice that every time I started my car this little boy would suddenly pop up unto the window and peek out through the blinds that he successfully ruined months ago. There are now 3 slats of the blinds missing at precisely his eye level, so his view is not hindered in any way. In my attempt to interact with children and in some way get to know my neighbors, I began to wave at this little fellow everytime I saw him. Sometimes he would pop up when I returned from being out and about, so I would wave at him. Each time he would simply stare back at me and sometimes growl quite loudly. I guess he's a growler - that's fine. I continued this ritual of waving and smiling at him.

Nothing.

Until yesterday morning. I started the car up (first try no less) and here came his little head to the separated blinds. I paused a moment and watched him. Then I gave him a huge smile and waved. Suddenly, in a moment of beautiful simplicity, this little boy raised his hand and gave me the "I'll-bend-my-fingers-only-at-you" wave. Success! I will readily admit that I sat there stunned, yet immediately filled with a sense of renewed purpose. I waved back. So did he.

Months of nothing in return. Empty staring. Fierce howling and growling. Peek-a-boo from behind the blinds. All instantly worth it.

So today as I walked out to fire up the vehicle I wondered what the little fellow would do today. Would he wave back? Would he just stare? Perhaps give me the "I-hope-you-have-a-great-day" growl? Nope. Nothing. Today he didn't appear at the window. It saddened me to a point, but I realize he isn't always there. And I realize we are making great, small strides in our budding relationship. And I know that when I come home tonight I will have another opportunity to say hello to my new friend.

Sometimes that's all you can hope for - another chance to say hello to a friend.
Sometimes a blank stare is more than sufficient to drive a point home.
Sometimes a friend has to growl at you to prove that they are listening/watching.
Sometimes they will play games with you.

Sometimes they won't be there when you hope they are. It doesn't mean they are bad friends, it's just that their life has taken them away from the window for a while.

Or perhaps it's nap time and they are sleeping peacefully under the window pane that has brought you a friendly greeting (in whatever way in may be expressed).