We’ve lived in our house for about a decade. There hasn’t been much turnover on our street since we moved in. In general, I am a private person who enjoys some anonymity and privacy as far as my home life goes. I typically like being able to come and go as I please without the obligation of saying hello or talking with someone while I’m outside my house.
In the last few years though, we have become closer with our neighbors through gatherings such as barbeques, evening driveway fires, and Christmas parties. A neighbor invited us over to plan our trip to the Grand Canyon. Another called upon us to babysit. We have had the opportunity to deliver food to elderly who have become housebound.
I have come to cherish my neighbors. I no longer avoid waving at them, or hope to remain separate. We shovel snow for those who are disabled. And in turn, we have called upon neighbors to housesit for us. We have asked our neighbors to check our flooded basement. I have come to look forward to the next barbeque, and the next evening driveway fire.
By knowing our neighbors, we have the benefit of community and friendship. We know we can call upon each other and that someone is looking out for us. What a great blessing we have have in knowing our neighbors.