“I have my own irony post brewing,” I commented to Peter last week in response to his Irony piece.
Yesterday, I wrote about a bush that our neighbors removed from the end of our driveway.
Last Thursday, I received a phonecall from my oldest daughter right before 4pm.
I was still at work and sometimes, Wren will call when she has a question about where to find something she needs in order to get to dance class on time…or to complain that she has nothing to bring for dinner.
When I answered the phone, Wren immediately launched in with, “Poppy hit the library.”
I launched right into one hundred questions. I asked the important ones first, checking to make sure everyone was ok, asking what happened. And then I asked, “Is the library ok? Do you think we can put it back up?”
This little library sat in front of the bush that our neighbors just removed, at the end of our driveway. I always dreamed of having a little library and when we moved three years ago, I knew our new street was the perfect. It has been a big hit in our neighborhood, with many regular visitors and a steady stream of books coming and going.
A few hours after Wren’s phone call , my dad (poppy), called. “I was so busy admiring the new view without the bush, I backed into the library.” The bush that was removed to improve visibility.
When I arrived home later that night, I immediately noticed how naked our yard looked without the friendly little library that has become a staple. What I didn’t anticipate was the impact its absence would have on the neighborhood.
It wasn’t long before my neighborhood mom group chat was blowing up. They had assumed that someone had hit and run and said that several neighbors had already said they would take up a collection to purchase a replacement.
The news also hit Stratford Ladies, the local Facebook group for all things griping and complaining around town. “Does anyone know what happened to the Little Library on Hilltop?” The comments entertained us as people reported “I just saw it yesterday” while another passerby reported “there were splinters everywhere!” (An opportunity to talk to my kids about speculation, exaggeration, and rumor spreading.)
The pole for our library has already been replaced and in the coming days, the people of our neighborhood will once again be able to share books with one another…unless my dad gets distracted by the view once again.
Where There Is Joy 
I shouldn’t laugh… I shouldn’t laugh… I shouldn’t laugh… but, oh, I am laughing. He hit the library because you removed the bush to increase visibility… and then the mom chat… and the FB chat. Oh my – I think we live in the same place only obviously entirely different. I can *imagine* what our “Stratford Ladies” would make of this. *SPLINTERS EVERYWHERE* hahaha! I’m glad the new pole is up. Whew.
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Everything Amanda said! This truly is irony in a slice. But it’s also a wonderful ode to the little library you built and how much impact it had on a community that it inspired such fast-spreading gossip!
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Hi Jess, Yes, I still read your posts. Your writing is so genuine as well as often thought provoking….or both! I really enjoy reading each and everyone. This post made me laugh a lot. I can’t help but think I would be the person, like your dad, that ran into the library while checking out the new view. Your post also gives me inspiration for writing a slice if I one day get back to it. Thanks for the laugh!
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Write it! We’d love to read. Hope you’re well! Thanks for being a loyal reader! ❤️❤️❤️
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Oh boy! Irony for sure! Hope the library is back up and running very soon!
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Oh no! Poppy! He needs that bush! I’m with Amanda– don’t mean to be laughing, but your writing is funny! And how validating for you that everyone misses the library. Am I mistaken, or wasn’t Poppy instrumental in building it? Sounds like he might have another project on his hands.
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Good memory! He did built it and he is in charge of the reinstall!
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I love that your Little Library has become so important to your community. I think there is a post there too! I’m glad your dad is enjoying the new view, but sad that he hit the library. It will be back up and running soon!
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I ssecond what Erika said. The story of the accident is great/sad/funny, but the story of the library is more profound…the fact that so many people noticed and cared. Wow.
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This post is everything! And the fact you saw a perfect opportunity to teach kids about rumors and speculation? I loved that! I’m glad it was quickly replaced, and also glad that a whole community cares so much about their neighborhood!
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I know I shouldn’t be laughing but I am. I knew though when you said it was your dad it would be fixed the next day if not sooner. Oh, the mom groups! Very well done slice!
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Here’s to no more change that can cause a crash! Love how your little library is such a treasured piece of your community – it’s nice to know people appreciate it’s presence and usefulness!
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Wow. There is so much to this post. Of course there’s the irony, and the teaching moment for your kids, but that library… I’m so amazed what you created and how it’s adored by your community. That is just extraordinary. What a tribute to you. It makes me want to put a library on my block. I have so many books to be shared. But how do you go about making/buying/putting in such a structure? Loved reading this.
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This just fills my heart with love for your community and for the Little Free Library – – and you, for providing this for your neighbors!
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