Standing in my power

Most of you already know from FB that I called the police last night, because of the neighbours. I woke from a sound sleep around 9:30 pm (you all know I go to bed super-early) because the girl was screaming bloody murder (to use a phrase). I was so scared/upset that it took three tries to get the correct number, but finally I did and got through. Then I huddled under the covers with Derry, heart pounding out of my chest, awake until midnight. I didn't look out the window, though I know the police came and checked things out. 

I did my usual running around this morning, and when I got back there was a note in the mailbox from the mother, of which I took a snapshot and then left as it was, not wanting to look at it, until several people commented that if it was a threat the police needed to know. So finally I got it and read it, and it was an apology and an invitation to communicate. She left her phone number and email address.

Then I felt in a quandary: I don't want any part of their energy and don't want to engage them in any way, having tried this during the first year they were here, with disastrous results with the mother, but good manners, duty, and civility pressed on me. I had some back and forth with various "friends" on FB, and at one point I wondered what the life lesson is for me here. Is it to stand up for myself and stop tolerating what no one should have to tolerate in the first place? Is it to learn compassion? Forgiveness? Something else?

It was my cousin who posted that she guessed the lesson was to learn to "stand in my power" and to ignore the note and the bullshit, and to keep calling the police as necessary. (Others advised ignoring the note and calling the police too.) Bless her, she also said that she wished she could be here, that she'd put a stop to this. (I so wish I did have someone strong here who would have my back and put a stop to it, I'm far too non-confrontational and passive. But it is what it is.)

I appreciate everyone's feedback and support, and I especially like my cousin's "stand in your power" turn of phrase. When I think of that, of doing that for my Self, I want to cry. I suppose because certainly for the past almost-20 years I've felt that I have no real personal power at all.

So right now I'm choosing to ignore the note and to stand in my power instead.

On a completely different note, my new master bedroom window was installed yesterday. I have a post to do about that, because the "vacation" day wasn't exactly "vacation-like," but I'll save that for another time. I will say, though, that my adventures with a new curtain rod were "disastrous" themselves.

Peace.

From Facebook

Comments

Poppy Q said…
It is a tricky situation Kim and I think you handled it the write way. If it was me, maybe I would email her once to acknowledge her note, but also to be clear that you have been put in an impossible position. Good on you for calling the police.

Hope you get a better nights sleep tonight.

Julie Q
Kea said…
Hmm. I have a note written (for email), stating that I appreciate the courage it took to write the note, blah blah, but that from my perspective, what has transpired in their home crosses the line into abuse and that I could cite specific examples. That for my own mental, spiritual and emotional health I will no longer tolerate it.

I'll think about whether I want to send that, Julie.
ANGEL ABBYGRACE said…
You are right Kim, it has gone past being able to communicate and put things aside with the neighbors. To stand in your power means do what is right for you. Not necessarily what is polite. I see no point in answering her note. In fact I think it sends a powerful message back to her for you NOT to respond. It's like ok folks I'm kicking @ss and not taking any more names. I do believe that they've been forced out of previous residences by this very behavior and it's because neighbors would not take the abuse and that is exactly what this is. I think if you continue to report them you'll find that (a) they will start to become less intolerable (b) move.
John Bellen said…
I am generally non-confrontational until I lose my temper. Then it's different. If you respond to the note, I would simply state that you appreciate the effort at apology but you have had enough crap from next door over the years, and will not take any more. Call the police each and every time you feel you should; let the neighbours know that. Stress that calling the law is no inconvenience to you, but may be the opposite for the neighbours. The police won't be annoyed at you, and things will go very poorly with the neighbours, from an official standpoint. Until now, they knew they could do whatever; now they know you won't stand for it. You did the right thing.
Kea said…
If memory serves, she had let it slip that they bought in a hurry (they'd been renting before). So I imagine there WAS an issue that forced them to move quickly at the time. Too bad it was here.
Kea said…
I really don't want to respond at all, because were I to do that, it only would be to say what you have, that I won't tolerate this anymore and I'll continue to call the police as necessary. Seems to me that silence pretty much says the same thing, without engaging with her or them. I find it hard, though, because I feel the pull of good manners -- something she/they actually don't deserve from me.
Cat Lover said…
I saw what your cousin had written on Facebook and thought she put it wonderfully. You have had to put up with so much over the years and you are well within your right to call the police. Hope things do improve as they realize you are not taking it anymore!
Take care.
BeadedTail said…
I'm glad you called the police and I do hope it keeps the yelling and screaming at bay. Sure they have a right to do whatever they want in their house but when it crosses a line that causes such a disturbance and affects your right to a quiet, peaceful home then it needs to be stopped. I can understand the hesitation to respond but if you do, just let them know that from your side of the wall it sounds like someone is in trouble over there and you were doing the right thing. They need to understand that you can hear them and it's just not normal to hear sounds like that. We have a totally different situation here that involves neighbors wanting us to trim our trees/bushes to better their view but when I speak up and say I don't want to trim them to the point where I see their house the response is always 'oh, I never thought about what it looks like from your side'. Clearly your neighbors are not thinking about what it's like for you to listen to them and it's time they did and I'm glad you stood up for yourself and took the first step in hopefully ending the noise!
Katie Isabella said…
I am VERY glad you called. You are more powerful and more brave than you know Kim. I am proud of the stand you took and VERY grateful you are not communicating with that person. No need. Carry on. You are strong and I have no doubt that you will be the last one standing there! They will probably move f the police get called much more. xo
meowmeowmans said…
We, too, are glad you called the police, and very proud of you for doing so, Kim. Just keep going on, dear friend. You'll start to see that you are stronger than you ever imagined. :)
Silence is golden as my dad used to say... and sometimes it can be thunderous. Continue to claim and stand in your power. HUGS
Kea said…
Thanks, Robin. I would so prefer to not ever have to call KP again, but I will if I have to.
Kea said…
It's not just loud noise, there have been a lot of abusive things over there. Frankly, I ought to have reported them to child services a month after they moved in, but that's a hard thing to do, a difficult determination to make, especially when living right next door and in the line of their fire, so to speak.
Kea said…
I don't think they'll move...I suspect I'll be the one moving long before they do. Don't care if they move, because I. Am. Done. With. Adjoining. Housing.
Kea said…
Thanks. I honestly wish I didn't have to be, but "If you want your life to be different, you have to start reacting to life differently." Bryant McGill, from Simple Reminders

I read that quote every day, multiple times a day!
Kea said…
Thanks, Laurie...That will be my mantra going home today!