I remember when I lived in the city, Washington DC to be exact. I had this awesome studio apartment that I liked to pretend (with the help of strategically placed furniture) was really a one bedroom. I felt safe there because it wasn’t on the ground floor, you had to have a key just to get into the apartment building, and there were people on the streets day and night. I loved it.
As much as I loved the city, however, there were things about it that I would change if I were to live there again. One of those things is that I didn’t know any of my neighbors when I lived in that apartment. Not a one. I’m not sure I could have even picked them out on the street and they lived five feet away from me. How strange is that?
Fast forward six years or so to this morning when, at 8:30 am we received a call from our current neighbor whom I’ll call Roger (names have been changed to protect the innocent). He asked, “Did you let Oscar into the front yard? I see a dog that looks just like your dog running around outside.” It took me a moment to process what he was saying since I knew full well that I had put Oscar in the back yard to take care of business just two minutes before. Sure enough, I glanced out the back door and saw that our gate was wide open. Then I looked out front and I saw Roger trying to herd Oscar over to our yard. I was so touched by that, not to mention grateful, knowing how Oscar loves to run wild and free. Had Roger not been there, there’s no telling what would have happened.
So this afternoon I’ve been thinking about neighbors. How well do we really know them, or do we know them at all? Do we, as the Bible scripture says, love our neighbor as ourselves? I know that I need to do much better on that account. We have been so fortunate to live by Roger and his sweet wife and son and have benefited by their kindness and friendship many times over the past five years. But am I a good neighbor in return? What about my other neighbors, especially in the rental house next door? Every year a new group of professional young adults move in and every year I pretend they’re not there thinking that they won’t be there long.
And what about those who don’t live beside me but are still my “neighbors”? Am I kind to them? Do I smile and say hello when I pass on the street? Or do I follow local DC area etiquette and look the other way?
I’m realistic enough to know that I can’t meet everyone or be friends with everyone I meet. But I can make an effort. I can push aside my insecurities and preconceived notions and I can reach out to those around me whom I don’t know. And I can make time in my busy schedule for those that I do.
So thanks to “Roger” for the reminder to be a good neighbor not only to all of my actual neighbors, but to everyone else too. Oh – and Oscar says thank you too.
Do you know who your neighbors are?
) I just moved to London, as you know…and one of the biggest things that I do is say hi to all of my colleagues when I pass them in the hallway. It’s a small thing, and something I never used to do, but it makes a big difference. Most of them are warming up to me in return now and know that I will always greet them with a smile. (I personally think they like it too). 
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