We are in the type of neighborhood that you don't find much anymore. We borrow cups of sugar and give each other plants from our gardens.
Our houses were built in the late '10s to the early '20s. You have to be a special type of person to want to live in an old house with drafty windows and squeaky floors! They have so much character though....old glass in the windows, wood siding, hardwood floors, built-in china cabinets, etc.
While all of that is great, the best part of our neighborhood is the people. It is made of of old and young, single and families, well-off and not so wealthy, white, black and everything in between! What's even more is that we all get along (well, as much as any group of humans can!).
Just this past weekend, Sam and I saw a few of our neighbors chatting at the end of the block. I had spoken with one earlier in the day and offered her some iris rhizomes from my yard, so Sam and I walked them down. We met a new couple in the neighborhood and their cute puppy, Lucy. Moments later, Mr. Jack joined us, then Ms. Rita drove up and another couple walked over from across the street with their 9 week old puppy. We talked about this and that and watched the dogs play together. One neighbor offered to till a flower bed for the other and we donated our irises to the cause. We all agreed that it is time for a block party and talked over preparations for that. After an hour or so, we all split up to finish our Sunday yard work, walk dogs and start supper.
This is a normal occurance. I had neighbors in my wedding, I've babysat for neighbor children, neighbors helped us with our fence, lent me heaters when mine broke, looked after our pets when we were away , we've given each other rides when the car was broken, shared meals, shared tears, shared new birthdays. I once woke up a neighbor when his house was on fire and another neighbor organized a relief drive for a family who lost everything in a fire. And we do not question this. It is all normal in our neighborhood.
Sam and I love it not only for the reasons listed above, but because of the people. God has placed us here as part of his plan. We see Him in the everyday faces of our neighbors. We see Him in their needs and their tears, but also their love and selflessness. He both reaches to us and teaches us through them, and hopefully through me and through Sam... and maybe even the other 16 furry-footed friends that live with us. Let me take that back-DEFINITELY the other 16 furry-footed friends!!!
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15 (emphasis mine)
1 comment:
It is a shame that this is a rare thing. You know, after the hurricane, when we had no water and electricity, for a while, when everyone was outside, struggling in the same way, being friendly was the norm. We shared stories and helped each other with recovery. As the every day amenities returned one by one, and the trash slowly started to disappear, so did the interest between neighbors. Everyone was busy again with whatever they had been doing before. I'm glad that there are still neighborhoods like yours!
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