Friday, July 29, 2011

Do you know your next door neighbor?

I've been been reading Karla's new blog. Karla is focused on giving back. She's always been like that (I know her parents are so pround of her!). Lately I've been thinking about what kinds of ways I can make a difference right where I am...small things on a daily basis. Mother Teresa said, "Lonliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible kind of poverty."
 I remember when I first moved to this town I worked in the pharmacy. Sometimes people (many elderly, living alone) would call in their prescriptions and then want to just talk. I was a 21 year old who was with people all the time...it stunned me to realize that people would call the pharmacy in part to connect with other people.

I have had some wonderful neighbors over the years. They baked pies for us, we loaned each other tools, and did an unofficial "neighborhood watch". One neighbor even left the doors open at night when Joe was working out of town, so that if I was afraid, I could come in with baby Michael and crash on their couch or spare bed. Many of our neighbors had kids our children's ages and they all played together, going from house to house, and we parents looked out for each other's kids. We sometimes babysat for each other too.

Soon I'll be moving to a new neighborhood, and I need to make sure I get to know my new neighbors. I know it will be good for me because I tend to hole up in my nest sometimes, but it might even be good for someone else.  How about you? Do you know your neighbors?

4 comments:

Peggy said...

Yes, actually we do know our neighbors. We are very blessed with wonderful neighbors. I know if we were ever in need of anything, I could turn to them and they would be happy to help out, and of course, we would do the same for them.

pedalpower said...

You are a good neighbor and friend Peggy. I know you care for my kids like they were your own and of I feel that way about your children. That kind of support is invaluable. I would think in this town, with so many people knowing each other, that not too many folks would be lonely, but I'm sure there probably are some.

Dana S. Whitney said...

I only know one of our neighbors... and not very well. The couple behind us across the alley seem deliberately chilly. We know tons of people locally,though. How do you recommend getting to know your neighbors when the only thing you have in common is a property line?

pedalpower said...

If they are chilly to you, there is probably not much you can do except be friendly when the opportunity arises. Mostly I try to help when I can and be friendly. I met a couple neighbors when I first moved in to the new neighborhood, but I'm only now meeting others and I've been there 7 months now. It's something I have to work on because I tend to keep to myself.