Neighbors Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow

Have you ever noticed how unfriendly neighbors are today? It is amazing to think that just a few years ago, maybe as few as ten, neighbors used to welcome newcomers in with a warm apple pie, an intentional "bumping into" when outside, or even a knock on the door with a random introduction. What has happened in such a short time? Having lived in my home now for 28 years, I can tell you a lot has changed. I have gone from having wonderful neighbors to crazy and downright abusive neighbors and back to wonderful neighbors again. I assume you could say the pendulum can only swing so far.... As a neighbor, I guess you could say I am one of those who intentionally bumps into my new neighbors! But I am not the Mama Hen of my neighborhood. That wonderful title is reserved for the neighbor who kindly calls the waste department when you have a large garbage pick-up, will clean up trash that has fallen in the streets, capture free roaming cats and have them spayed and neutered, watch your pets when you are out of town, and call just to check on you when she sees something odd. This, my dear friends, is the neighbor who earns the title of Mama Hen, and I truly wish every neighborhood had one. She may be a bit abrasive at times, but her heart truly is in the right place.

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When did we change from wanting to know our neighbors and participating in neighborhood picnics and parties to shyly waving hello as we drive by hoping not to impede on anyone's privacy? Well I for one would like to see neighbors and communities come together again! I want to know that if someone sees something "strange" going on, they will call the police and not walk back inside because it is "not their business". I suppose we could argue that this way of thinking stems back to our classrooms.

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Not too long ago, a dear friend of mine and I did a presentation about bullying for a local middle school's after school program. It was amazing how many of the students insisted they would not help someone being bullied or report it for fear of repercussion. I understand this mentality; although, I think it is terribly sad. I have never been one to sit and watch. Oftentimes I have been reprimanded by my boyfriend and friends for not just "staying out of it", and maybe I should, but at the base of my heart, I just want to help! I know there is a fine line between butting into to someone else's affairs and sincerely trying to help. It is through a skill-set of interpersonal communication and maybe a bit of an elevated emotional quotient that contribute to one's success in "putting out a fire".

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So.....what to do! I suggest taking a walk in the evening, and say hello to every strangers' face you come by. Wave assuredly when you drive by, and when you have a few extra moments, roll down the window and say a formal hello. Make an effort to reach out and get to know your neighbors because you never know when you will need them or they will need you! It is never too late to start bridging and building those relationships. BUT it does take an effort and willingness to step out of our incognito boxes, take off those shades, and just say "HELLO NEIGHBOR"!