California Hospitality

I have lived in California now for 4 days. David has to go to Napa for a three day conference he is teaching. I have no car. I decided the boys and I would go check the mailbox, only for me to realize, I have no idea where our mailbox is! We live in a community where there is one large box with about 15 mailboxes. These magical letter holders happen about every other block. Logically, I went to the box directly across the street. I get there only to realize I had NO idea which number we would be. I tried all 15 to no avail. Now that I am on a federal watch list, I decided to retreat back inside & cover up my windows with tin foil since I'm obviously the crazy one. The next morning I decided to try again. I saw a neighbor walking his dog and decided to ask him. That seems normal, right? Well, the look on his face would have lead one to believe that I had asked him which mailbox was his and that I enjoyed watching the dinner party that he had at his house last night through his window &, boy, his friends can tell some funny jokes. Seriously, dude, I just wanted to know where to get my mail. He said to try the next block. No dip, Sherlock! Which block? But, instead, I smiled and thanked him and complimented him on his beautiful dog, because that is what we Bible belt people do. The following day the boys and I ventured out again. This time I decided we'd walk to the "mountain" across the street & go hiking. When I say it is across the street it literally is, but you have to walk around the side to the entrance. This walk crosses a fairly busy road, which our oldest loves because he gets to push the button for the cross walk. It is less than a half- mile walk and is very refreshing minus the major hills. Once there, we see an am amazingly gorgeous park to include a play area, doggy park, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a clean large grassy area. My son decided to take his sticker book with him in case he met any new friends. It was our lucky day! The park was swarming with kids of all elementary ages. There were tons of other moms there. I was happy to see there were people there for the both of us! I sent my son off to play as I walked to the circle of other moms. There was another mom carrying a child, much older than my baby, in a sling thing. I decided we could relate so I’d ask her a question to start up a conversation and make a life long friend. “Is this a mother’s group of some sort?” I asked sweetly. “Um. Yes.” “Oh, nice. We are new here and are so happy this park is here. It’s wonderful for my son. He wanted to share his stickers with other kids today in order to meet new friends.” “Well, we are a home school group. We come every Tuesday. There are probably other groups in your area that you can join.” *insert wide eyed emoji* “We live very close to the park, so I’m sure we’ll be here enough for him to make friends.” I start to end the conversation sweetly. “Oh, well, we might have room in our group, if you home school.” “I do, for now, but that’s okay. Thank you so much.” Seriously?! She was so rude and lacking social skills! Since I was obviously not going to be making my life long bestie today, I decided to watch my son use his charm. At first the other kids didn’t want his stickers. My heart was breaking for him! I told him to ask just one more. Thank goodness that little girl wanted one. After she took one, all the others came over for one. The joy on my son’s face almost brought tears to my eyes! He had so much fun that afternoon. Needless to say, we go to the park everyday.