the observations and blessing of my downstairs neighbor

Our neighbors directly below us, an older, quiet Polish couple, are among the most understanding and tolerant people I've ever known. They have to be, to so patiently put up with the noise my boys daily rain down on their ceiling. In fact, to hear them talk, they almost welcome the thunderous jumping and continuous running that I'm sure must rattle the walls of their apartment. "They're little boys," they tell me matter-of-factly in their thick Polish accents. "It's what they do."

A couple of days ago, while Garrett, Caleb, and I blew bubbles on the stoop, we were joined by the husband. As the boys squealed with delight over the "bigger bubbles" they were blowing and boisterously popping in turn, we chatted briefly about how much they were growing. He eventually drifted off into the background where he continued to silently watch them play.

A few moments passed before he smiled and said to me, "I strongly believe that those boys need a sister!"

I laughed, both at the bold and direct manner in which he spoke, as well as at the content of his comment. But, even though the thought of a third child, male or female, absolutely terrifies me, I couldn't deny the truth. "I agree!" I replied, and then I added, partly for my sake, but mostly for his whose ceiling they shake, "They need a calmer influence to tone them down a bit."

He nodded and laughed heartily in return, and then encouraged me with a "Well? What are you waiting for?"

And that is where I, still not totally comfortable with the Brooklyn habit for unabashed nosiness, let the conversation die.

I reflected on this exchange after he, now joined by his wife, left to go eat dinner. To me his comment said two things. It emphasized that yes, my boys are loud, they are noisy, and sometimes it borders on being extremely difficult to put up with so regularly. But it also told me that they are willing, and perhaps even happy, to welcome more.


Someday, folks. Sorry to perhaps disappoint, but this is not an announcement, except to say that my neighbor downstairs has so generously bestowed upon me his blessing to have another noisy baby.