When I was growing up in East Montgomery in the ’80s and ’90s, we loved having company. Nowadays? Someone unexpectedly showing up in our intimate space can trigger a full-blown fear response, followed by a beeline to hide the unfolded laundry and kids’ toys. Maybe even a whispered yell telling everyone, “Hush!! No one move!”
For some people, an unexpected drop-by to say hello is practically a social taboo. There’s someone reading this whose anxiety is building right now!
Well, don’t worry just yet. I’ll let you know before I drop by!
I remember a neighbor who lived across the street from us. Joseph was a sweet Japanese man who would occasionally stop by unexpectedly. As a kid, I always enjoyed talking with someone whose life and experiences were so different from those of my family. Joseph was a college professor, and he always had a special reason for stopping by. It might have been the phase of the moon, a Japanese cultural celebration, or simply a desire to check in on us.
We had other neighbors, too. Our families would regularly stand out in the street or gather at someone’s front door to talk. If a neighbor had been in the hospital or had a special occasion, we’d stop by and spend a few minutes connecting.
Every summer as a teenager, I’d hop on my bike and gather as many neighborhood kids as I could find to play kickball in an open area. It really was a great time to be alive.
This old-fashioned way of connecting may very well be on its deathbed. But, just like fashion, I hope it comes back around and becomes a social norm again.
So, let me encourage you to gather a little courage. Stop by to check on a neighbor. Say hello for the first time to the couple who have lived across the street from you for the past twenty years. Or go big and invite that older couple a few houses down over for coffee or dinner.
It doesn’t have to be a huge commitment to say hello. You never know what might come from getting to know your neighbors.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my neighbors, it’s that I was born in the Year of the Gold Monkey in the Japanese zodiac calendar. Now you have something to Google!
I hope to see you this Sunday at church. Taylor Road Baptist Church meets at 9 a.m. every Sunday at the corner of Taylor Road and Berryhill Road.
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