I always run very early in the morning, when the streets are quiet and so are all of the homes on them. Aside from the occasional baby cries from an opened bedroom window and the early-bird dog walkers, there isn’t much to see and hear. That’s why for two years now I’ve long held the belief that I moved to a very quiet place. I’ve even told people my “new” neighbors keep to themselves and aren’t all that friendly.
Then last week we took in two four-legged guests (see last week’s Wordless Wednesday photo) and it turns out I am the one who keeps to herself and isn’t all that friendly.
These two miniature Yorkies need their exercise, so instead of cocooning each evening, we now take them for walks and I’ve discovered my neighbors do congregate nightly in driveways to share gossip and police children at play. Couples often sit together on benches in our greenway, and young dads like to use a wide dirt path to teach their preschoolers to ride a two-wheeler. And all wave, say hello and, if they are under 13, request to “pet the puppies” (even though they are 3 and 5 years old). Their moms ask me how long we’ve lived here.
Once your children leave for college, you lose a connection to your community and must find a way to maintain those ties or establish new ones if you relocate. I now realize I spend too many evenings watching “Seinfeld” reruns, rather than ending the day with a nice post-dinner walk, maybe even one interrupted by an impromptu chat.
I think I may just have to walk myself after these Yorkies go home next week. Who knows what I’ll discover about my neighbors, or me.
13 comments:
Maybe you'll have to get a puppy or two of your own!
Right on, I always say the same thing and then when I do "leave the comfort of my home" in the evening, it's like a whole new world out there...who knew!
Great post and thanks for the reminder to not cocoon so much.
One of the pitfalls of being a morning person! I too am a morning person, up and running before the sun comes up with hardly anyone else out. And then I am the first one in the office too so when I leave "early" it is perceived at times that I am not working as much as the people "staying late" although they arrived 60 - 90 minutes after me in some cases.
It's true that when you don't have children (or when they're out of your house), you don't meet as many neighbors. We only know our immediate ones...
That's why I drink my beer outside, it brings out the male neighbors when the can opens.....
So true! Good post!
Very good points! It's like walking and finally noticing your neighbor planted some new rose bushes but never noticing before because we're sooooo intent on running by...we've been missing out.
I love the title you composed for this post...
It's different when you live in an apartment complex, like me. But hopefully you'll get to know your neighbors better! Great post!
I am telling you...anytime you want a dog fix...the labs love to walk...okay the littlest one does!
I only have one left, but am already feeling the empty nest thing. I'm going to get back involved in Scouting once my last one moves out.
You know - now that you mention it - I've never thought about what may be happening in the neighborhood in the evening. It's just when my day is over (usually around 9PM or so), I just want my bed.
I've found that the automatic garage door opener is the demise of friendly neighbors. Straight into the garage and then into the house without seeing or interacting with a soul.
It's funny but Bill and I have also commented, how much friendlier people in our neighborhood seem now that we have Ruthie. But maybe it's us!
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