Good Neighbors

Do you know the names of your neighbors? Do you give an obligatory wave as you head out or home from work? Do you have get togethers, share lives? How have things changed in communities since the good old days when people used to use a neighborhood as an excuse to make friends. I can say with confidence that in our house, we really enjoy getting back to that feeling of community with our neighbors. Our house is about 5 feet away from the house next door, and recently, each evening, our families open up the windows and blinds and our kids talk through the screens, and my mommy counterpart across the alley, talk about what's going on in our lives. We share stories, and laughs, and fears. It's something that can't be substituted for a head nod or just a daily "hello". I understand that some people can't do this, and don't live in an area where it is possible, but think of the idea as a whole. It's more than being simply neighbors, it's plain neighborly.