Mending Fences

Our wooden fences require fixing every now and then. The exposure to the rain, the sun, the constant battering by the strong wind, the shrinking timber and rusty nails does not help. The fences will slowly aged and fall apart unless it is maintained regularly.

On the left side, my German neighbour will look after his side of fence. Not long ago one of the fence vertical supports broke and the fence was leaning precariously over his side. My German neighbour rang the door bell and asked if he could come over and mend the fence tomorrow.

He cut off the rotting end, dug a bigger hole, joint the end with another good timber with bolt and nuts, put it back into the hole, straightened the fence and poured concrete into the hole all by himself while I was at work the next day. And on top of that it cost me nothing.

On the right side, I have a Hong Kong Chinese neighbour. The man of the house does nothing. He will sit at home, watch television, watch DVDs, walk the dog or goes to the casino and gamble away to till wee hour into the morning. The poor wife helps to run a DVD rental shop part time in partnership with some friends. She cooks, does the housekeeping and gardening except mowing the lawn which was subcontracted out. While we are out at work, she helps to mend the fences especially the loose pickets. It was a good gesture and she need not do it.

Last Saturday, I was free and decided to do my part as a good neighbour. Armed with a hammer and nails I began fixing the loose pickets. It was a nice warm sunny day and it was so nice to be out in the sun. I felt good doing my part as a good neighbour.

As I was hammering away, my thoughts turned to my family and friends. We all have broken fences too. Sometime it needs mending. I guess we would wait it out to see who would make the first move to mend the fences. As I worked away, I realized I am guilty of it too. Relationships, too, will fall apart due to work pressure, hectic deadlines, distances, time and money. The longer, the less we communicate, we will be like the fences slowly aging, dying and falling apart in the end. I need to make an effort and the first move to mend fences with my neighbours, my family and friend. I need to communicate more with them. I am sure I would feel good, warm and fuzzy on the inside if I do.

“Good fences make good neighbours.”