"Like a Good Neighbor"

Do you remember Kindergarten? Everyone was a bit timid, shy, but before long friendships were formed, usually over finger paints and puppets. My three-year-old only needs to see another person of her age and size to declare, "That girl is my friend." She doesn't know their name, anything about them, but they are a friend. As adults we seem to lose that special ability. We forget how to make friends. We become shy or expect others to make that first move.

Shortly after we moved to the country a knock sounded on my door. In came a neighbor bearing a tray of cookies. "Welcome to the neighborhood," she said. She invited me along on shopping excursions to the grocery store. We had coffee at the diner. It seemed unusual at first, to have a stranger call and say, "Do you want to have coffee?" But, I realized, it was no different than Kindergarten. I was her neighbor and we were never going to get to know each other if we didn't spend time together.

This neighbor has become my best friend. I called her when I was too sick to take care of my newborn daughter. She came over with 7-UP and a comforting smile. She took care of the baby while I threw up. When my mother-in-law died, she was there, bringing trays of cheese and crackers because, "You'll be having a lot of company in coming days." She was right. The food was appreciated. She calls if there's a storm approaching to let me know that I need to head to the basement. I do the same for her. When her well was out she came over to fill jugs of water. Her husband came and mowed our lawn last week when the mower was out of commission--no payment accepted; "It's just part of being a neighbor," he said.

Her daughter broke her foot last Sunday so she's spending today here while her mom works. I say, "It's just part of being a good neighbor."

Traci