Although I cannot document the fact for everyone that I know, it appears quite likely that we all have our limits. Some would say there’s a point at which they just can’t take another rude comment, another inconsideration, another frustration, another encounter with another “How can you be this stupid and still know how to breathe?” kind of a person. Others would say those are merely points at which we choose to abandon patience, tolerance and forbearance.

No matter how you express the thought, I stumbled upon that point last night for the young woman who rents the apartment adjacent to the one in which we had the fire. Three months of various disruptions to her serenity, privacy and desire for a quiet and uncomplicated life finally pushed that special button. You know, the button that unleashes the assertive side, so to speak.

Without being rude or crass or hateful, she vented in a couple of text messages about the noise, messes and aggravations that she had seemed to endure quite patiently ever since New Year’s Day.

Now I know. Kevin and Travis will also know. Quitting the work is not an option but we can try to avoid making loud noises inside the building until a bit later each morning. We can be more mindful about cleaning up around the building. And I can remember, yet once again, that no matter how good the reasons, how important the work nor how dramatic the improvement, there are always those who pay some cost, even when the work does not directly benefit them.

And, I can show them the consideration that I would appreciate myself.

H. Arnett
3/26/10