By definition, a neighbour is someone who lives close to you. But close is a relative term. For urban dwellers your neighbour may live in the condo next door and you meet and greet them in the elevator or mail room. In the suburbs your neighbour lives beside, across, behind and down the street from you. In rural areas your closest neighbour may live a mile away.
If you are lucky, you have great neighbours. Great neighbours help and look out for each other. They are friendly and considerate but still respect your space and privacy. They make a point of saying hello, they don't yell when your child's ball lands in their yard, and they offer to pick up your mail and papers if you are going away.
Great neighbours make great neighbourhoods. They form their own nieghbourhood watch system, protecting each others homes. They make and deliver meals for the elderly or the ill, or new moms. Kids shovel their neighbour's driveways without being asked. There are neighbourhood barbecues, street parties and Christmas get togethers.
Are all neighbours like that? Unfortunately not. Some neighbours are not pleasant. They don't like kids, dogs, cats, noise, cars, bicycles, motorcycles. I think some don't like people in general. Some make life miserable for others sometimes.
Then there are some who love to be the neighbourhood "Gladys Kravitz" and love to know everyone's business. Then they like to share everyone's business.
I think we all need to ask ourselves if we are good neighbours. Can we try just a little bit harder?
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