Did you know that today is National Good Neighbor Day? I didn’t either until I looked at the list of Observances in the United States by Presidential Proclamation. A synonym for neighborly is hospitable which means “receiving or treating guests or strangers warmly and generously.” This definition echoes Hebrews 13: 2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
The phrase “good neighbor” evokes images of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Everyone looked out for each other. Not in a snoopy or intrusive way but by being caring and friendly. We’ve experienced that in a small way over the last month when we have had to be gone so much.
We came home to find Rod’s dahlia plants beautiful with an abundance of blooms after we had been gone for two weeks. One neighbor shared how another neighbor had noticed the plants were wilting so she began to water them regularly. Another neighbor brought us a plate of homemade cookies as we were unpacking the car to express their condolences for the loss of Rod’s mom.
Being neighborly is about being observant without being snoopy or intrusive. Today, I’m sharing tips on being a good neighbor.
Tip 1: Be friendly
Be friendly enough that you know who your neighbors are so you will recognize possible intruders in the area. Say hi and be friendly but be aware of non-verbal cues that indicate they would prefer not to chat right now. Show you are trustworthy by respecting their boundaries.
Tip 2: Be observant
Observe the normal activity in your neighborhood so you know when something is amiss. This is especially important if you have elderly neighbors and they seem to disappear or radically change routines.
Tip 3: Be aware of your own actions
Be aware of how your actions affect your neighbors. We know that our bunch can be noisy when we are together so we usually will let our closest neighbors know if our whole family is gathering. We also try to make sure guests are aware of community spaces versus private areas.
Tip 4: Maintain your property
Maintain your yard and landscaping to safeguard neighborhood property values. We live in a condo complex where community spaces are maintained by our HOA. However, we still need to be aware of our own flowerbeds, front porch aesthetic, etc. It’s also important to share the upkeep of community spaces by picking up trash and keeping them tidy.
Tip 5: Lookout for packages
As we move towards the holiday season, keep a lookout for packages. If you are home during the day and your neighbor works, offer to collect their packages so they are not sitting on the porch waiting to be stolen. We truly appreciated this last year when we left before light and got home after dark. Our neighbor would leave a post-it note on our door letting us know when she had picked up packages and when we could get them from her. Since I do a lot of online shopping, this was very helpful and comforting.
We have been living in our community for about fifteen months. We have gotten to know a lot of our neighbors due in part (pre-COVID) to HOA meetings. They are a very neighborly bunch even though we currently have to wear masks and social distance. Especially now, I think it is important to be friendly because many people are lonely and separated from family due to COVID restrictions. Your friendly smile could brighten your neighbor’s day.
Thank you for letting me share my heart for home and family,
