One of the surprise flags at the edge of the garden. And yep, it’s time to mow.

Getting the paper in the morning is sort of a big thing with my son. He loves to come outside and listen to the birds sing. Sometimes he stands on the front porch, sometimes he runs into the yard. When he was tiny, I would carry him, tip him over and let him grab the newspaper. He was so proud of himself for helping.

Today when we went outside we had a lovely surprise. Some mystery neighbor had planted three American flags in our yard. They were in the garden near the sidewalk, and when we looked up and down the street we saw that most of the homes had flags lining their yards as well.

Seriously, this felt like Christmas.

My little guy yelled, “Flags, flags, flags!” and ran up and down the front walk. Then we walked a bit to look at the other yards. Then we came inside to get daddy, so that he could see too.

There was no note left behind. But I have an idea who did it. You know how? Not every house nearby had the flags, and my neighbor – the likely source of this unexpected dash of patriotism – doesn’t approve of the way that certain people in our historic neighborhood keep their yards or paint their houses.

Okay. So I didn’t say he was a perfect neighbor. But today he made my kids very happy. And honestly, it had sort of made my day as well, to have someone do me a kindness. It makes our little part of the neighborhood look so cheery. And tonight when people are swarming all over the place to get a parking spot for the fireworks display that’s at our park, maybe it will cheer them up too.

I wish I had thought of this.

It really is about the small things that we do for each other, and the ability to enjoy them.

Happy 4th to all, no matter what color your house is.

– Jen