Reaching out (a thread) 

1/ We live beside a playground with a half court. Naturally, it& #39;s a draw for neighborhood teens, and all the drama that entails. But instead of grumping, yelling, or getting confrontational with them, my husband has slowly been building a rapport.

2/ He introduces himself. Asks their names. Offers them water. Let& #39;s them know we keep water on our front porch and feel free to grab one; they do. Let& #39;s them know they can shelter on our porch in the rain; they have. This has opened dialogue and established a mutual respect.

3/ He& #39;s mentioned our daughter; they ask how she& #39;s doing.

He& #39;s mentioned me and my work as an author; they ask about my books.

He& #39;s mentioned I used to be a vet tech; one is considering becoming a vet and perked up with interest.

4/ Well, tonight there was a knock at the door. It was one of the bball kids -- a HS senior -- wanting to know if we could chat about my work with animals. So we sat on my front porch and chatted! We talked about animals, the vet field, school, family, and the state of the world.

5/ He shared that he& #39;d had an argument with his folks and felt badly about it. He wants to get a job to help at home. He& #39;ll pray for my dad fighting cancer. We acknowledged our faith. We CONNECTED, me and this 18yo young man I& #39;d never met who plays ball outside my house.

/6 And all because my husband chose to reach out to the rambunctious teens on the basketball court. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧡" title="Orange heart" aria-label="Emoji: Orange heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💛" title="Yellow heart" aria-label="Emoji: Yellow heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧡" title="Orange heart" aria-label="Emoji: Orange heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💛" title="Yellow heart" aria-label="Emoji: Yellow heart">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧡" title="Orange heart" aria-label="Emoji: Orange heart">

Talk to someone.
You never know the effect you may have.