And yet, despite not giving a ton to my community, I must be doing something right. My neighbors got me through 3' of snow (more falling as I write), digging my car out, two days of power outages, and lack of firewood as well as the truly dire situation arising from not being able to brew coffee because of the lack of electricity. One couple helped my aging, recovering from dislocated-shoulder and stomach surgery self dig my car out. Another couple got coffee for all of us (driving to a coffee shop in a 4-wheel drive vehicle and getting 4 of those nice portable urns of coffee -- my heroes). Giuseppe's family gave me logs, so that I would have a fire in the fireplace -- and today, with the snow rising, came by with more, so in case the power went out again we'd have heat.
What do I do? I occasionally have their kids over to play, and things like that. I did sign TigerGrrl up to help dig out a neighbor who had back surgery two weeks ago, but he's going to pay her for that, so I can't get brownie points for that. And I don't think any of my neighbors give a crap that I give platelets and volunteer for vaccine and another tests. Nope. But I'm doing something right. With school out for the third day in a row, my girls are at friends' houses, and I'm relaxing and enjoying the quiet.
I've cooked up a nice brisket, enough so I can serve my nice neighbors some. Also, I'll be able to reheat it if the power goes off as I have figured that out: put tea candles on a tray on the lower oven rack, and then place the pot to be warmed on the upper rack. The dish heats relatively quickly, when using enough candles. So I'm ready. Oh, and I have an extra bottle of wine (a Simi Valley Chardonnay) given by a neighbor for whom I performed this not-so-onerous favor: I called her on Sunday when the power came back on (after two days out). And for that I get a $12 bottle of wine? I don't spend more than $5 ($7 when I'm feeling flush) for a bottle of wine. So I'm feeling guilty. But not so guilty that I gave the bottle back or anything.
Anyway, a neighbor's kid (Giuseppe) just stopped by, so now I have to play a game of monopoly with him until TigerGrrl gets back. DestructoGirl and Giuseppe's little sister will be by shortly, to trash my place. Life is good.
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I love how people pull together in a crisis. Love it. I could do without the crises, but I do love the humanitarian side of humans.
That's lovely. The nicest thing that anybody has done for me in this clos was after my back operation. Once I'd gone back to work I'd come home to see that my neighbour had snuck into my garden and mowed the lawn for me. Each time he mowed his lawn he'd come around while I was at work and mow mine.
Neighbours are valuable.
I'm so glad that you live in such a helpful, caring community! I have no idea how my apt. community would react under similar circumstances, but I do know of at least two other families here (whose kids play with my kids) who would definitely be the types to chip in as needed for the benefit of all. It's always good to know that you not only get to live in a great place like that but that your children see the neighbor's efforts as examples of how a community should take care of each other. It becomes "normal," and that is a good thing!
Laurita: It really has been impressive. And we're getting more snow Monday, although a mere 3", so that doesn't even count.
Zoe: Glad your neighbors are great too.
Kira: I've never felt this at home in a community ever before. It's just a special place.
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