teri

I grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As I look back at that town, I recall all the people and experiences that raised me. As I grew older, my neighbor Teri invited me to cut her lawn in the summertime for $15. And the same for snow shoveling in the wintertime. On hot summer days I would mow her lawn after school or on the weekends, and shovel her snow early in the morning or late at night in the wintertime.

During the summer time she would call me up on the phone asking if I wanted to mow, or I would knock on her door and ask if she wanted me to mow. It was always a yes for me. It was the opportunity to get outside and do something productive, and earn some cash for a job well done.

I remember her always talking with me after I mowed. We would talk about the neighborhood, small talk about the goings on and such. Teri was always a kind and reliable neighbor. I remember my mom asking me to go to go over to Teri’s house and ask her for some extra eggs or flour for something we were baking, and I went to her door and she was right there with everything we needed.

I remember her coming to lemonade stands when I was a small child, where I charged 10 cents a cup, and she gave me whatever was in her wallet. It was like I won the jackpot!

Thank you, Teri, for giving me the opportunity to care for your property and giving me to opportunity to earn money as a young boy. It was the foundation of my work ethic outside of my own home. And for being an amazing neighbor to myself and my family.

When I think of Oshkosh, I think of that beautiful neighborhood that raised me, and you were a part of that in a big way.

Rest easy, and know that I will always remember you and the kindness you projected upon myself and the neighborhood.