Win-Win

A good neighbor is a win-win, and Billy grew up with one and I have since noticed what a gem still lives across the street, an Irwin-win.

Her name is Annie Irwin and I know her only through Billy and his mom; but a few interactions and observations are enough to tell that she is a good soul.

1. She has a ton of sons (and maybe 1 daughter at the tail end?) but I always see them and her husband out in their driveway coming home from bike rides or doing various boy things. It's a boy family! But inside her house is clean and neat, fashionably decorated and well-maintained. She wears her womanhood with pride.

2. But oh how she loves those  boys! One of them came home from his mission recently, and we heard about her excitement from Billy's mom for a long time in advance and when we went to his open house welcome party, you could just see she was beaming with joy and love!

3. But of course, she has another son out right now. We also attended the opening of his mission call and there saw the same beaming joy of a proud mother. He is a good-natured, humble-hearted boy, as are his brothers. She raised her boys right.

4. Which I also know because even though I personally can't tell them apart or know which is which, we run into them frequently enough and they are always kind and polite, friendly and reminiscent with Billy. They were obviously good friends to him, a lesson probably taught to them by their friendly mother.

5. She is that friendly person for Billy's mom, who spends much of her time by herself, sad. But I've heard Cynthia praise Annie and have seen Annie in action; when Billy's mom broke her foot, who helped her get around and recover? Annie Irwin.

6. She is still beautiful and young, with good blonde hair, sparkling eyes and a mature smile.

Between raising a bunch of boys and serving the neighborhood, I can tell that Annie Irwin is one of the best of the best.