Neighbors are people you never forget. People we chase in our childhood dreams only to wake up to our, (still fun), but different reality we call life. Most people have neighbors of some sort but what do we look for in a neighbor? Someone to welcome you with brownies the first day you move in? Maybe someone who will help trim your bushes or water your grass. Or is it the person who always has a cup of sugar when you're out, and maybe a few eggs. Hopefully we have neighbors who would do all this and more with a smile.
Growing up I have great memories with my neighbors. Memories that will last a life time. From swinging on our swing sets, running through everyone's yards playing tag, even getting dressed up with a full face of makeup at the age of eight to look good for my neighbor who sometimes came to his grandmothers house a few doors down. I look back and reminisce on all the fun I would have from sun up to sun down with the people I possibly had nothing in common with, we just lived close and wanted to have fun. My neighbors taught me a lot of things; like how to climb a tree, how to run up an icy hill so I can get the most out of sledding, even how do ride my bike down a hill with no hands. I laugh and think of all the outrageous things I did as a kid. But I learned a lot. I learned a lot about people, I got to know people for who they were, what they liked doing, what is their ideal Saturday is when they had no responsibilities. I have some of the best memories with the people in my neighborhoods. Long nights, early mornings, scraped knees, you name it! But what if these memories don't have to stay in the past? What if you can relive the best days of your childhood again? It's all so simple.
Be that kind neighbor. Bake the new neighbors down the road or the apartment next door some mini quiche, pop open a bottle of wine, or brew some fresh coffee and make their day! What happened to festive block parties and late night hide and go seek? It takes two people to tango and a few more to PAR-TAYY! Just be friendly, open, and accepting. That's all you need to make a new friend and a friend that lives two doors down is great when you live a busy life, like most do these days. Just enjoy the people who are the first to see you on your way to work and to welcome you home after a long day. A smile can spark a conversation and that could lead to a new friendship! Friends are such a positive feature of life although we seem to be more and more introverted as we "progress" in life. Show your children, spouse, dog, cat, fish, whoever you cherish how good it can feel to be kind. Start with the people next door, downstairs, anywhere! Just make the world a more pleasant place by leaving your grace of positivity with your neighbors and friends with a simple smile, maybe a wave and if you're feeling frisky some mini quiche. Small gestures go a long way. And so does a bottle of wine!
