I remember growing up as a kid in the sixties onwards, my parents had become great friends with their neighbours. So much so, they would have BBQs in the backyard or a drink with them regularly. As kids, we would call them uncles or aunties and had the highest respect for them and their kids, who became my friends.
As the years went by, my parents would be greatly upset at the passing of their true friends who were their neighbors for 40 years or more. They would keep in touch with their kids and still do with some of them today.
As the Years Go On.
In shifting out of home as a young fellow, I got to learn the neighbor thing as we were going through the stage of partying hard and getting into mischief. But we never intended to do it purposefully; it was the era we grew up in and the way we were doing our thing. But I admit we weren’t too bad, and at least we would knock on the door to apologize if we created a problem, which most would accept that we were remorseful for our mess up.
Over the years, with my little family, my wife and the kids have met some good neighbors and some really terrible ones that I have even gotten into serious altercations with, blow for blow. I never did the parent thing and had BBQs with them or drank regularly on the weekends with them. It would be a simple “hi,” some small talk, and lending a hand if really needed.
Bringing the kids up on my own has made me more cautious about the neighborly interactions. This is especially because of the way society has progressed and the changing way we think. Most of the time, we have found that a simple nod or a slight wave shows acknowledgment and respect.
For now, we are back in an area we absolutely love and enjoy being in, more so because it’s quiet and peaceful – a great area to bring the young ones up as it does feel really safe. Not that we aren’t on our guard, as for the movement of the kids, we are very much so. With our neighbors, we do have a very friendly wave and a quick chat on the sidewalk. We are very lucky as the whole street is friendly, making you feel at home. But everyone keeps to themselves when it comes to going any further. This doesn’t happen anymore. There is no problem in my book or any of theirs. It’s the way we live and one that will get more serious as life goes on. As a good neighbor, we just keep to ourselves and do what we need to do – look after our family and be respectful to our neighbors, which is being returned.
#Journey Through Life
mags64@journeythroughlife.blog
Journey Through Life... 