Neighbors Helping Neighbors: It Takes a Village
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I keep thinking back to that phrase, “It takes a village,” because, in my book, truer words were never spoken. That’s kind of what this old neighborhood is like.
Last week, my next-door neighbor, Smitty, noticed my yard had not yet been mowed. I’d hired a service to mow it, but they kept saying they were coming to mow, then didn’t.
If there’s one thing that drives me over the edge, it’s hiring someone who doesn’t show up or do what they say they’ll do. And never bother to contact me about it. Don’t promise me something you won’t follow through on.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors:
Smitty asked if I’d consider letting another neighbor mow it for me. Someone who is dealing with skin cancer and doesn’t have enough Social Security to live on.
So I said sure, and a man came down from a garage apartment just down the way. He’d once owned the house across the street from me.
He mowed my yard, and even came back once he had the mower blade sharpened, and went over the front yard again.
I have a lot of that clover in my yard, and we folks on this side of the street don’t use chemicals because of the outdoor cats, for one thing. So I’m not going to put weed killer down.
Since then, I hired him to get the front beds ready for me to plant seeds. I sat outside and indicated which items to pull and which not to pull. Now my flower beds are almost ready for planting. I’ve ordered more potting soil to fill the empty pots.
We’ve agreed to put a storm door on my northern front door, and Randy will pick it up and install it for me. He’s got a few jobs to deal with before he can get to it. The cats will enjoy looking out the glass door and might stop fussing with my mini blinds.
It Sure Does Take a Village:
You know, someone once said that it takes a village, and I agree. You have to help those who need help, because it might be you one day. Don’t you agree? So he’ll help me, and I’ll help him.
I won’t have to put my trust in an appliance company that not only didn’t fix my washing machine but also charged me $400 for it. I can have Randy look at it, see if he knows what the problem is, and tell me what it needs. He might even be able to fix it.
I don’t know diddly about fixing appliances. It’s so much nicer if you have someone to come to your aid that you know you can trust.
In this day and age, neighbors don’t always even know or trust one another. But in this little area, we look out for one another. When I have something I no longer need, I check with the neighbors to see if they need it.
You do what you can, and get by with a little help from your friends.
As a whole, we on this side of the street take care of the outdoor cats. Smitty next door rounds up the cats for neutering whenever new cats wander into the neighborhood.
Mark, who rents the house on the other side of me, often pays for their vet bills. We all feed them and make sure they have fresh water. As well as shelter in heated houses on the porch in the winter.
Except for me, these other neighbors have lived here for many years. They all know one another and help one another.
Smitty also runs a neighborhood Facebook page to keep everyone in the neighborhood apprised of what’s going on. He also loans out his tools like a library.
Work With Other People’s Strengths:
You have to work with other people’s strengths. I know about computers (not a whole hell of a lot), decorating, cooking, and gardening. Smitty is good at organizing people to get things done. He always knows someone who knows someone.
We all add something to the mix. I sent Randy home Saturday with bean enchiladas. Smitty makes sure he has protein drinks.
It’s so much nicer when people work together. In simpler, less technological times, neighbors helped one another more often. I have a nostalgia for those simple times.
This country has gone to hell in a handbasket. So much divisiveness and racism and chaos. Why can’t we just get along?
“The spirit of neighbor helping neighbor flows like a deep and mighty river through the history of our nation.” – Ronald Reagan
This post is like reading something from the rural US 30s…..you are so fortunate. It’s like your little corner of the world has defiantly said “NO! We don’t want your hate here!” to the current powers who sow division wherever they go.
I am so happy for you. And for the cats who benefit from the kindness of you and your neighbors.
A great post and reminder of what empathy and kindness looks like. My neighborhood of 30 years has changed. Several neighbors have moved or died. Many houses have turned into rentals with people like students not staying long and not interacting while they are here. Just as old-age has made me more vulnerable, my support system has dribbled down. You are lucky to have family near-by.
I just love that you live in a neighborhood that does that, we used to (when we grew up in this house) but after moving back in after our Mom got ill, it’s not like that anymore and I truly miss that
I love how you develop friendships with your neighbors no matter where you live! That’s awesome.
You are so lucky you have such nice neighbors. My mom does, too – they have such a nice neighborhood “community”. We don’t have that here. The guy on one side of us was friendly when he first moved in; now one of his sons live with him and neither one of them talk to us (or anyone else) and have let their yard and house go to crap. The people on the other side of us moved in less than 2 years ago and are hardly ever outside and have only said hello a couple of times. Thank goodness, the guy across the street that has lived there for about 20 years is friendly AND helpful. We have each borrowed tools from each other and give each other vegetables from our gardens. He’s a plumber, so he came over one time to inspect our sump pump. The only other nice neighbors we have are down the street. We have gotten to know them very well over the past five years and are now good friends with them. Otherwise, all the other neighbors are never outside or keep to themselves.
Blessings for all of you! This is the way it should be! So nice to hear you’ve landed in a nice neighborhood.
When my mom grew up on a farm in central California, there was a hord of neighbors who all worked together. When crops were ready to harvest, they came to help and all helped each other. And just think how much more fun work is, esp in such a hot sweltering climate, when you have buddies to help you!! I lived in a wonderful town in N. Idaho for 1 year as a teen…everybody helped each other then too. Plus we were in a small church and the teens made up at least a third of the crowd and do you know, those adults carted us around in an old small school bus, all over the place having fun on the weekends!! Hayrides, taffy pulls, all sorts of interesting fun parties!! Best year of my life. And here you are, now living smack dab in the middle of Mayberry!!! Lucky you!!! Though you did have some nice neighbors in the last place I thought, aside from the nut upstairs!! (We have a young couple with small children who live across from us and oh so very nice to us. We both suffer at times from the creeps living on the next floor up tho. But at least there is someone who understands how it is!!) I am glad you have been now connected to a man who is very helpful with the yard etc!! PS. All named Randy I have known were super good at helping too!!! Must be something to do with the name…
Be careful about putting all your eggs in Randy’s basket!
I will. I’m just happy to get some things off my to-do list.
Exactly, all seems wonderful,….for now.
Amen Brenda! What a wonderful neighborhood you have. I live right outside of the city and my neighbors do not want to be bothered. When we moved here I was hoping that things would be different. Seems we moved to the wrong town. I’ve gotten used to it but boy I wish it were more like your neighborhood.
Maybe this kind of neighborhood is rare these days.
You have landed in a wonderful neighborhood and one that loves animals as much as you do. It’s great you have Randy now to help you as you in turn help him out. I live on a private road and my neighbors are great.
I’m happy for you, Annette!
Brenda, how wonderful that you have found a friendly community in your new house. It is so nice to have kind, knowledgeable and friendly neighbors. I will pray for Randy and his cancer treatments.
Take care of yourself friend.
Thanks, Elizabeth!
I’m so glad you have such good and helpful neighbors. You’ve been very blessed in that sense. Your last neighborhood had good people there too. That’s so important. I’m happy for you.
I landed in a good spot.
Knowing and getting along with your neighbors is so important. We just lost 3 of our neighbors – 2 families found new jobs and moved Up North and the other neighbor went into a nursing home. We will miss all of them.
You are very lucky to live in a neighborhood that cares about people and animals.
Oh, I know! I couldn’t abide anyone being mean to an animal.