One of the best parts of the warmer weather is seeing and talking to our neighbors. We have the best neighbors and neighborhood. We are a little community that watches out for each other. I can hardly believe we have been here for 30 years. I remember when we were "the young couple" in the neighborhood.
It was one of those days where the reciprocity was tangible, even though it was unexpected. One shared a tool, another had a chance to play with the power washer to aid another, another shared sweet treats, and dear Mike has Daisy Mae perfectly spoiled with Milk Bones he shares with the dogs on each side of him and behind him.
This scripture was my verse of the day:
"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." -Romans 15:2
I love that we take care of each other. We only have 7 driveways on our little bend in the road of our 1970's subdivision. We have plenty of space and we are often found in our front yards because that is where the people gather. We've watched the Lau children grow their entire lives (minus Marina's first six weeks). We've seen our neighbors' children grow up and build lives of their own. It is fun to see them when they visit.
It is not the "in your business" kind of neighbors. It is the genuine caring that I know is not everywhere. You can buy a house, but a neighborhood is a gamble (unless you are Ackerman's and buy a house for the neighborhood and we are so glad they did!).
My country roots mean that a "neighbor" can be anyone on your road for several miles. It is a part of country living that I missed. We were blessed to find a couple of special neighbors in Peoria that we still deeply treasure, but it was not how people lived. When we moved to our current home, we hit the jackpot. When I look at the houses now, people have come and stayed.
There are often changes that come with different seasons of life, but our little bend in the road has been the same for well over a decade... and for most it is more than twenty years. For that, I am truly grateful.
Today, I am grateful for good neighbor days.
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