Hi Elyse!

Thank you so much for the kind note and the fig plant—Luisa absolutely loves it. We really appreciate the gesture.

I wanted to share a bit of my perspective, just neighbor to neighbor. I know there’s been some tension with y’all and Donnie, and I understand where you’re coming from—having lots of cars in front of your house can definitely be frustrating.

When we first moved in, I too was confused by the number of cars that can sometimes line the street. Then I got to know Donnie, learned his story, and reflected on the fact that he’s lived here a good deal longer than me. While I’m sure I don’t know the full story, from my point of view, he’s been an incredibly kind and helpful neighbor. He’s fixed my tires, lent me tools, helped me install a water heater, and has even helped out a few friends of mine. He really goes out of his way for people.

When I drove near the glass the other day, I worried I might’ve hit it and gotten a flat. That would’ve been a sticky situation—especially right now, as Luisa and I are totally swamped with our newborn, Ennio. A flat tire in the midst of newborn chaos is about the last thing we have time to deal with, and it made me reflect on how easily small things can escalate. I’d rather we all stay on good terms and not only keep the neighborhood feeling warm and cooperative, but also increase our sense of community.

I get that we all have different boundaries and preferences. I just hope we can find ways to navigate any situation without things getting too heavy or adversarial. I really believe things tend to work out best when we approach them with kindness.

Thanks again for the thoughtful gesture. Looking forward to seeing your master plan come to fruition—and we hope to see you around!

Warmly, Kyle