Carl H.

Carl is our long-time neighbor (22+ years). His kids grew up neck and neck with our oldest five. Carl ran across the street once to put out a grass fire started by his 12 year old Patrick and our 12 year old Lorien. (Did I remember that one right?) And if I recall correctly we ran across the street once to tell Carl his swamp cooler was smoking on the top of his roof. It's great to get in any kind of discussion with Carl because he's a thinker and also a wrestler with the "issues" of life and he always has an opinion.

A few years back Carl was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease which has contributed to him spending a little more time around the house...and WE have been the beneficiaries. Carl decided to take up baking and as all of his children are out of the house he shares his "goods" with us. A while ago Cameron (the youngest around here) was looking out the window and saw Carl starting across the street with some type of goodies (bread, pie, cake etc.) and he burst out with an exclamation of "I LOVE Brother Hoyal." When the doorbell rang a few seconds later I understood what was behind this random profession of affection from a nine year old.

Carl has been an avid golfer over the years and our children grew up watching him practice putting in his front yard. One day not too long ago he told us that many years back one of our children called out of the upstairs window on a Sunday afternoon when he was practicing his putting after church and said in a disguised voice, "Are you keeping the Sabbath Day holy?" I was a bit mortified to find out one of my children had decided to take upon themselves to play the "Holy Ghost" but Carl assured me that it had been a good influence on him and he never putted on Sunday after that. I take my hat off to him for being a good sport when he could have been offended.

We were all excited when Carl was made our family's home teacher. He knows just how much to talk and often his lessons are in the form of some treat or another. When Carl does have something to say it's always worth listening to. Last Sunday night our 10 minute home teaching visit was one of his "soapboxes" as he put it. According to Carl there is one vertical commandment and all other commandments are horizontal. The first commandment is to love God with all your might, mind, heart and strength and then, all other commandments have to do with how we treat our fellowmen. All evil, wickedness and sin is simply treating others badly or selfishly.

Carl and his family are perfect neighbors - always there when you need them, never intrusive. We've exchanged several kitchen's worth of borrowed goods over the years. Two eggs here, some baking powder there, a little vanilla. They've put up with our large and varied clan across the street over the years. We hope they will stay put.