How to Be a Good Neighbor and Show Someone You Care
I was driving through my Mom and Dad’s neighborhood this afternoon and saw this snowman standing in a neighbor’s yard. I asked two ladies on the sidewalk if they thought the homeowner would mind if I snapped a picture for my blog. They said “It’s fine – go ahead” and then added, “It doesn’t belong to anyone in particular; we pass it around the neighborhood all year!”
How neat is that? They ALL take turns hosting the snowman! What a great way to show how much they care about their neighbors. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day and my eldest son’s wedding, here are other ways people show they care. Maybe you’d like to add your own favorites in the comments below!
People show their care, concern and love by…
- bringing the neighbor’s dog back when it gets loose and you see it roaming
- leaving the last bite of dessert on the plate for the other person
- crawling out of a warm bed into a cold room to be the one who shuts the window
- getting refills of popcorn and drinks during the middle of the movie
- being the one to give the foot-rubs more often than getting the foot-rubs
- picking up trash from the neighbor’s garbage can when it tips over and they’re out of town
- refilling the gas tank when it’s almost empty
- holding dinner ’til their favorite TV program is over
- starting the coffee so they wake up with the aroma
- sending business or job referrals to neighbors who need them
- counting to 10 when they forget the most important item on the shopping list
- cleaning out the cat-box when they’re sick
- warming their car and scraping ice and snow off the windows
- writing an unsolicited recommendation for their LinkedIn profile
- rubbing their forehead when they have a headache
- not eating onions or garlic unless they do
- paying their bill when they don’t expect it
- putting notes in their pockets to find when they travel
- watering plants or mowing their lawn when they’re away
- keeping the overcooked steak for themselves and giving you the better one
- telling them when there’s something stuck in their teeth
- plowing their driveway or shoveling their sidewalk after the storm
- helping a stranger who’s run out of gas and then not accepting money (I was that stranger on Wednesday night; I want to publicly thank the couple who helped me. They work for Handyman Connection in Colorado Springs near Bijou and Spruce St.)
Yes, I’ve been graced with many of these gifts by people who showed they care. And I’m sure you have too. Feel free to give kudos in the comments below and Happy Valentines Day!
