The General Store

Maybe your neighbors are not as great as mine. If that is the case, I am sorry for you. Mine, well…. they are my neighborhood general store, daycare, garden center, and lawn-mowing service. Do you need a lemon? A carrot? Or perhaps a stray can of beans? Can’t beat the traffic home? Need them to check on the teens? Or perhaps a place to hide the liquor? Don’t forget the lawn-mowing service and dog walking to boot! And why not? Don’t you have neighbors that mow your lawn and walk your dogs?

If only everyone had a neighborhood like mine, where civility, jokes, and kindness rule. We have fires on their patio, drinks on our deck, and watch the flickering lights of the fireflies. We have stories and foot massages, gripe sessions and therapy.

I’ve always had good luck with neighbors, so I know this is not a one-off situation. Over the years, my neighbors and I have become the very best of friends. (Except for that one time when I suspect the neighbors had the Gimp tied up in their basement and ran a hospital for dolls.)

I challenge you to find a neighbor and chat them up. Try to connect with them as humans. That relationship may eventually prove to be your lifeline, and at the very least, may come in handy when you need a cup of sugar or a friend. It’s a little something we can do to invest in each other, and in our communities. To quote Mr. Rogers, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

© Mariam d’Eustachio at Simply Turquoise 2019.