Hi .. this is Merrill.  I’m sorry this is so long but I wanted to put everything on the table.  

Have you ever been walking toward another person on a sidewalk and at the last minute they cross the street to avoid you?  

Or someone walking who RUNS when they get to your property, only to start walking again as soon as they are past.

Yeah .. it's an crummy feeling

It all started about two years ago when I had a mildly indiscreet incident.  It was an accident and it never happened before or since.  If I had handled it better it would have just gone away - it was very small event .

But I didn't handle it well.  And the story was pumped up and it became a hot topic and it traveled through the neighborhood like wildfire.  There were lots of people I had never seen before walking by my house.  And cars slowing down to take a look.  

I was mortified.  I was 76 at the time and this is not the way I wanted to age out.  

But things calmed down.  Life got back to normal and it was sort of like it never happened.

However after a couple of months people started pointedly avoiding me .. but in a few more months it gradually started to get back like it was.  

This happened a few times:  Some people would avoid me .. and then a few months later things would start getting back mostly as before.  It was very confusing.  

Through it all I was just living my day-to-day life.  I figured some gossip was going around, but I was hoping it would eventually go away. 

But it hasn't gone away  .. and actually things are worse.  The last several months there has been a different kind of dynamic.  A few people have decided to make it clear they really don’t like me.  A nice bush was stomped .. twice.  Trash thrown over my back gate etc.   

So yeah .. it’s way past time for me to speak up.  And this is what I am doing now:

I believe nasty untrue gossip gets started from time to time.  I believe someone thinks I am a good target because of the incident that happened two years ago.  And because I haven't spoken up they feel empowered to continue.  

I have no idea why someone would want to spread rumors about me.  Why all this focus on me?  I don't get it.  This is why I didn't speak up sooner.  It just seems so improbable. 

All this has really affected my life.  For my peace of mind  I need to say what I have to say so I can put this behind me and move on.   

I've lived in the Campbell/Grant neighborhood for 13 years and I have always tried to be a good neighbor.  I would be glad to hear from you.  Thanks a lot !!

Merrill.Randolph@gmail.com

520-406-0432