| Great Neighborhoods: are they a way of the past? Mine’s not! |
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| By Pam Lyle | |
| Thursday, 03 July 2008 | |
I had to make a “life change” about 12 years ago and that was to move to a different house – it was my choice and I was kinda excited about it and had my own ideas and thoughts about it but one of the most important things about it was it had to be in a good neighborhood.
Now, if you all are thinking well manicured lawns, huge, expensive homes, north end of town – you’re wrong (and you haven’t been reading my past articles!). Nope, it had to have brick streets, had to have kids, had to have older homes, had to have trees, house had to be up to date electrical, plumbing, sided, etc. as I was single at the time (who cared how it was decorated as I was going to “gut” it and do it “my way”) and I had to feel comfortable there. Well, I found it and still love it after almost 12 years! I hope everyone lives in a neighborhood and enjoys it as I do and I hope this article triggers everyone to open up their eyes and to look around and appreciate their neighborhood. Just a little nostalgia here, bear with me – you all know how I am.
Let me tell you about mine as a child. I lived in a trailer house on a big lot with an abandoned gas station at the corner and an old “car” junk yard just down the street. I also had the nicest elderly lady who lived in the coolest “basement” house next door and baked the best cookies. Now, what could be better for a girl who was basically a tom boy and lived on her bicycle with her best friend! We had a blast and lots of freedom in our neighborhood as children and were outside from dawn till dusk!
My current neighborhood has the greatest neighbors all the way on the corner to the west who always have the 4th of July big cookout and game celebration – it’s a blast and great food – everyone brings something. Then, right next to me to the west – what a great surprise when a young couple moved in. I had babysat for him as a child and my son grew up with him in our old neighborhood. I’m now watching his son grow up. The little boy constantly helps my husband and I in our yard and they put up a very nice “neighborhood basketball goal” and cement slab in the back yard that my grandkids love. To the east of me are great neighbors that just recently moved BACK to the neighborhood to the SAME house after moving away. She was there when I first moved in and we became great friends – he even mows our lawn sometimes. Now, with our three lawns altogether, it becomes a great soccer field for kids to play in – great to watch.
Down the street a couple of doors is our optometrist – he and his wife are wonderful and have 4 great kids and every year they come by with their kids and their little wagon and distribute cider and cookies – isn’t that a neat tradition. Just down from them are another couple with four kids and they all have fun means of “transportation” on the sidewalk (i.e., bikes, trikes, hot wheels, scooters,) and go by constantly waving and smiling and will always stop and visit. Next to them, we’ve watched those three kids grow up and have benefited on lots of bargains and purchases for their athletic teams as they are the great sales people in the neighborhood – good kids.
Across the street we’ve really kinda adopted another family into our family. They have two great sons – one we’ve even talked into going to soccer camp at the Air Force Academy two years (that’s where my husband went to college). They’ve put in a pool and always willing to share. We’re back and forth across the street constantly and my grandkids would just as soon be there as at grandma’s and papa’s.
Right behind us across the alley, a great lady has a neat garden and shares her goods and we talk over the fence! Come to find, out we went to the same grade school!
My husband makes the best fudge every year at Christmas and makes about 30 double batches and delights in delivering it to all the neighbors!
Oh yeah, before I forget, the street is lined with flags when flags should be out…we’re all very patriotic! Think on it people, make your neighborhood, safe, fun and one you look forward to going home to each night! Get out and meet your neighbors!
Didn't your momma teach you to share? Share us.
Users' Comments (9) |
 07-03-2008 17:58, , Guest 07-03-2008 17:59, , Guest  07-03-2008 22:32, , Registered Just tonight I handed a squash, some basil, lemon balm and sage over the backyard fence to one of my neighbors. I grew up in the country where we didn't have neighbors in the traditional sense, so maybe that's why I love the idea of a "neighborhood" so much. It's something I think we've lost a bit of in today's world and that's a pity. 07-04-2008 04:52, , Guest I can't think of a better combination. We have great neighbors too. Generations of folks. In the two houses on one side of us are 4 generations of the same family. In the house on the other side of are are 3 generations of the same family. But the 4th generation is around most days coming and going. Everyone's kids, grandkids, great grandkids are part of the ebb and flow of everyday life. 07-04-2008 15:23, , Guest Here's to ditching the MTV and the Wii and getting out to spend time with the neighbors! 07-05-2008 00:50, , Guest 07-05-2008 08:48, , Guest 07-08-2008 14:37, , Guest There wasn't alot on the market when we were looking for a new home, but our main goal was to find the best place to raise our children, and we are so blessed that we found it! Something just felt right about it. Our home isn't brand new or large by any means, but it fits our family to a T and we have the largest back yard for our kids to run wild! (Although it takes 2 hours to mow it...it is worth it to see our kids enjoy it as much as they do.) Within the first month of moving in, we knew everyone on our street with the exception of just a few. Our daughter, ironically, goes to dance with one of the young girls across the street. They have become wonderful friends and ride their bikes together as much as mom and dad will allow. At Christmas, we recieved cookies from the kind family down the way. Our neighbor to the west works in his yard everyday and has the most beautiful grass on the block that our children love to sink their feet into! We have an emergency doctor across the street whose lovely wife and children bring around May Day flowers in there wagon every year. Our neighbors to the east are the kindest people who will lend a hand whenever needed. And at the end of the cul-de-sac is the sweetest teenage girl who is willing to babysit our kiddos at the drop of a hat! It's just amazing what you can find in a neighborhood if you just look around and be open to getting to know people. It's better than just sitting in your house not knowing who's out there. I have no doubt in my mind that my children are safe when they're out playing and visiting with the neighbors! And getting to know your neighbors makes being home all the more fun! This is just the article I was looking for Pam! I've been looking for a way to shout out and "brag" about my neighborhood, and you provided me with just that! And Oh, how good it feels! My husband and I are only in our early 30's with 2 young children, but we see ourselves living there until our kids move out and most likely until we're old and gray! Thanks for submitting this wonderful article! "Hooray To Great Neighborhoods!!!" 07-09-2008 11:36, , Guest |
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