Of neighbourly neighbours

We have very neighbourly neighbours here in Sohoe. From the very weekend we moved in here, they have taken an interest in us – and not merely as a source of gossip. They know us as ‘the family with all the boys’ who left the big city behind. They endure with good grace the chatter of little Four who is eager to make a friend of anyone who passes the house. Even the garbage men wave as they go by, knowing how admired they are by Four and Five who think anyone who drives a big truck is the bee’s knees. One neighbour even gives daily Peanut updates to her family in another town.

Our neighbours notice when we have car trouble, and come to offer help. They realized I was home alone this summer while the Nuts were on holiday, and took me shopping or stopped by to chat in case I was lonely. I’ve been asked by strangers in the street about the boys, or some piece of family news.

This is a big change from the place we lived before, where two neighbours who happen to be outside at the same time don’t look at each other (a discrete nod of the head might be acceptable if both parties have lived there for ten years or so.) Fences are erected not to establish property lines, but to continue the illusion that no one else exists.

It’s taken some getting used to, all this friendliness and interest. The other day, a gentleman I didn’t recognize came to the front door. My instinct was to ignore him, but there he was on the other side of the glass, looking right at me. “Can you get the door?” I asked my brother in law, “there’s a man there.” feeling very un-neighbourly and a little grouchy that someone had the nerve to approach the door. And so he did, and had a good old conversation with the man at the door too. Doesn’t he turn out to live down the street a bit, and has noticed the flag we’re flying at the front of the house. He had some old books from his mother, in the language of that country, and wanted to give them to us, rather than throw them out.

That’s not the first time such a thing has happened to us living here. We’ve had various people drop off toys or clothing or books for the boys; bikes, baked goods and produce. There has been such incredible generosity of their time, their goods, and their presence. We are truly blessed by our neighbours in Sohoe, and on this feast of Thanksgiving, I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, and God bless you for all you have given us.