I have never lived in a neighborhood. You know, the kind that has sidewalks and where you have to be careful what you wear around the house for fear of the neighbor seeing you through his window while you’re in your birthday suit. But, now we do. I didn’t think I’d like it at first, but I am now realizing how wonderful it can be. As anyone that reads this blog knows, Javier and I had our wonderful baby boy on August 7th. Since then, our neighbors have showered us with love and gifts to welcome our new little addition. Mary-Jane from the corner brought onesies and sleepers and is giving me her phone number in case I need anything. Our next-door neighbors Roger and Janine brought two outfits and baby socks. Kathy from next door (a sweet older lady from Romania or Hungary or somewhere like that) brought different colors of yarn so we could choose what colors we wanted for the blanket she is crocheting. Margo from down the street (who we also bought our shed off of) brought us cake and sent us a card. Byron, a sweet 90-something year-old-man brought us tomatoes from his garden and offered to bring our trashcans in from the curb. Our new-found friends Jess and Brian (who we have a standing Project Runway date with on Wednesday nights) bought Eli “Bathketball,” a little basketball hoop that suctions to the bathtub wall. Charlene from the other corner brought over baby clothes as well. Even as I write this I am blown away by everyone’s generosity. I never expected such a pouring out of love and kindness from our neighbors. The sense of community we have in our neighborhood makes me feel like we live in Mayberry … although I think it’s God allowing us to experience a little bit of Heaven. We have truly experienced “love your neighbor as yourself” through the actions of these kind people.
