Letter to a neighbor

 Dear Neighbor,

    As a teacher, I always look in the world and circumstances around me for the examples of prosocial behavior which will inspire my classroom community. Although my content focus is English, I realize that I also have a mission to model and illustrate society-building behavior for students.

    So-where is this leading? Well, I am the fellow seeking a missing cat who came by your house several days ago. Even though you had a houseful of friends and family, you kindly took me aside to answer questions. You softened your testimony of a cat struck by a car with reassurances that his body was unmarked. You diminished the shock of his removal by county employees with a description of the honor and respect they showed in their removal. You shared my grief and offered empathy and sympathy. In short, you accorded me and my family the highest level of dignity and sympathy at such a low point in our lives.

    As a person, I was very moved by your words--your kindness--your decency. As a teacher, I was inspired and grateful for your exemplary illustrations of community-strengthening altruism. I have shared your example with my class of 6th graders, and you are the nameless hero of my class now. You offered a kindness to me and my family from noble intent rather than gain, and for this we honor you.

    So thank you. Thank you for cushioning my grief. Thank you for crafting your narrative of the Harris County workers with respect. And thank you for serving as a bright example of how we should treat each other.

    My tale has a miraculously happy conclusion. To our delight, around bedtime that same night, as we had come to terms with the final loss of our beloved cat Bennie, a furious mewing arose at the back door. Despite all reports and expectation, Bennie survived his week on the run and returned to us just when we thought he was lost forever. Our joy at this reunion is tempered by the sorrow at another family's loss of their orange tabby which you observed, but we are grateful to have him back.

    My heartfelt gratitude to you for your compassion.

  Your neighbor,

Jeff Barber