Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Knowing Your Neighbors

Shortly after I moved into the neighborhood where I currently live, I made it a point to get to know my neighbors. I didn’t wait for anyone to come over with a welcome cake or some collard greens. As I learned from my own parents, knowing your neighbors is a good thing because you never know when you’re going to need help.

Last week, I needed help so I cashed in one of those “good neighbor” chips to my next door neighbor and fellow baby boomer Kathy.

For those of you who’ve ever had food poisoning, you know how terrible it can be. Needless to say, I was miserable and on top of that, I was very weak. I called Kathy and asked her for some crackers. In less than two minutes, she was at my door with my request. She had even volunteered to make me some soup.

Now, let’s just say I didn’t know Kathy but decided to call her anyway. The conversation would’ve gone something like this:

Bev: "Hello, Kathy?"

Kathy: "Yes, who is this?"

Bev: "Kathy, this is your next door neighbor Beverly."

Kathy: "Who?"

Bev: "Beverly."

Kathy: "OK, which house do you live in?"

Bev: "I’m in the yellow house."

Kathy: "Oh, OK. I'm surprised you have my number. What can I do for you?"

Bev: "Kathy, would you by chance have any crackers. I need something to put on my stomach with my soup."

Kathy: "No, I don’t have any crackers. All I have are Wheat Thins."

Bev: "Oh, OK (inaudible) I’ll take those."

Kathy: "Sorry I couldn’t help you. Hope you feel better." (hangs up)

Believe it or not, there are still many communities where people haven’t taken the time to get to know each other. I’m just thankful I don’t live in one of them.

Thanks Kathy!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you want a good neighbor, be a good neighbor. I know that you are a good neighbot, just because I know you! Getting to know your neighbors paid off in your time of need.

We are acquainted with most of our neighbors, but have some new ones down the street. I must make it a point to get to know them, too.

Hope you are feeling better.

Anonymous said...

Glad to be of assistance. Actually, I feel guilty because I meant to call you the next day to see if you needed anything else but I didn't because I was so busy making arrangements to retrieve my car from the shop that I just forgot.

Pam, just remember that some of us just aren't blessed with Beverly's sunny, outgoing personality. I wish I was the kind to march up and knock on my neighbors' doors and introduce myself, but it just isn't in me. Then again, they don't knock on mine either.

Betty Lynch said...

I've become best friends with our neighbors to the left. We are good friends with the neighbor across the street. It is wonderful to have good neighbors.

So glad you are feeling better.

Anonymous said...

Kathy,

If you had come over the next day, I probably wouldn't have answered the door. It took until Sunday for me to start coming around.

Lisamarie said...

Interesting and timely post. My first reaction to finding out that I had to spend time in Raleigh was "but I have no friends!" After a week of going stir crazy for lack of conversation, I decided, that instead of burying my face in a book while I ride the bike in the complex gym, I would actually talk to people. Now, I've made friends. One even showed me how to get the Lifetime Movie Network on the gym TV!