Love thy neighbors?

[SunnyGirl]

In the "chipping away section" today, Lin shared that
she had sent her husband next door to check on a
neighbor. The man hadn't been seen in 2 days and
poor Lin was worried about him, Mike found the man
sitting in his chair, dead!

I've been thinking about this all day. I have no idea
who my neighbors are. I recognize them, don't know
their names or anything at all about them. I rarely
speak to them, always to busy, just a smile and once
in a while I'll give a little wave.

I have lived in this house for 25 years, there is one
family that has been here longer. We were "neighborly"
when the kids were little, car pooled and chatted as
we did our yard work. But the kids are gone and even
this relationship has faded into the sunset.

I'm not sure if it's the town I live in, or just the people,
but there certainly isn't any checking up on anyone.
On the news the other day, they busted a meth lab
in a residental neighborhood and the neighbors had
no idea what kind of people were living there.

I think from now on, I am going to make an effort to
say hello to my neighbors and try to engage them
some conversation. It's a pitty to have to introduce
yourself to someone that has lived near you for 5
years. I feeling kinda small today, but want to thank
you Lin for reminding me that being a good neighbor
is as important as being a friend.

Hugs to each, ~SG~

[SaraLee]

I doubt that it is just your neighborhood, because a lot of people are either to busy working outside the home, or just don't want to be bothered.

We got new neighbors a few months ago and we even share a driveway. Our homes are so close, I could spit in their yard from my deck. When they moved in, I was happy to have neighbors who were the same age as we are and who's kids are grown and out of the house. So I made efforts to get to know them, visited a few times, offered assistance, and called the woman once a week to see how they were doing in the new neighborhood. But neither of them seemed to want to be friendly. Although she seemed to enjoy a visit from me now and then, she never visited me eventhough I invited her several times, and phone conversations were always short and sweet on her part. We say hi when both of us are outside at the same time, but I didn't want to become a bother, so I cut out the visiting and only call when I must.

In general I think we have lost the art of leaning over the fence and chatting with neighbors. I miss having a cup of coffee with my old neighbor or stopping in just for a short chat. I'd be glad to bring back those days, if my neighbor was willing.

Anyway, I know what you mean SG. Putting out a hand can be such a friendly gesture to those who live around us. I think I'll visit the neighbor down the road and see how she's doing.
SaraLee

[mistyeve]

Dear SunnyGirl----I am more friendly to the people on line then I am to my neighbors. WE moved here a little over a year ago and no one has made an effort to be friendly other then to smile and wave. We keep to ourselves and they
keep to themselves. I guess that is just the way it is.....MISTYEVE

[lildee]

I live in a giagantic skyscraper with 27 floors and 26 apartments on each floor. Pratically a city in itself with thousands of people here. It took me almost eight years but I made a concerted effort to get to know at least half of the people on my floor. Next door to me is an elderly woman who lost her husband last year. So she is all alone, and kind of helpless. I check on her often and run errands for her. It just makes me feel good. Plus in this kind of building it helps to decrease the isolation. The best part is she is so grateful for the company, but what she doesn't know is that I am just as grateful for spending time with her. So its a win - win situation.

[preciouschihua]

Wow, I too have been thinking about what happened to Lin and MIke.

I am sorry to say I am not that close to my neighbors.
It would take a week, before I figured out something was wrong.
Yieps.
Suz

[mrsspanish]

wow!! that really is food for thought. Unfortunately i think it is the situation inmost places because people are so busy with our lives. i also am only on a wave and smile relationship with my neighbors but i think they alll want that relationship because no one has the time for anything more! It is a sad commentary on our society today.

[SunnyGirl]

Hi Doris,

Great to see you posting.....

I also think you may be right! I can remember as
a kid, my family always had lots of neighbors in
for little get togethers. Mom would go and have
coffee or shop with the women. The men would
pitch in and help when someone had a project
started in the yard.

But today, most women have to work outside of
the home. The kids are so busy with school and
outside activities.... People are busy, busy, busy!

Today, family doesn't always take care of family.
When I was working, I interviewed so many seniors,
that had no one to help them get to appointments
or even to go shopping for food. Many of them
were in poor heath and living in horrible conditions.
In most of these cases, the government is taking on
the roll of what the family used to do.

I'm going to take small steps, toward getting to
know my neighbors. I don't want to get in their
business, I just want to reach out and let them know
I'm here. Hugs, ~SG~