Neighborfully: What We Do

Hello, You -

This is Neighborfully, your weekly email update on the Neighborful Cinematic Universe. It's such a joy to be here with you.

Neighborful Idea: What We Do

It's snowing a lot in Philly this winter - or at least, a lot more than we've seen in recent years. It snowed twice this past weekend, on Saturday and then Sunday. This is a great injustice for our kids. Snow is meant to fall on weekdays, so that you get a snow day. (And get out of here with this virtual learning nonsense. The whole point of a snow day is for students and teachers to get an unscheduled break.)

I was out clearing the walk on Saturday afternoon, and got to chatting with my next door neighbor, an older guy. He told me about how he had slipped on some ice coming out of his house one winter about ten years ago. He fell hard on the stairs, and suffered a tailbone injury that bothers him to this day.

When it snowed the next day, I made a point of clearing his walk and stairs as well as mine, with a generous sprinkling of ice melt to finish.

This is what it means to be a neighbor. This is what we do.

Take a moment, just now, to think back to a time in your life when a neighbor has helped you. Maybe they stayed with you after you had surgery, when you were living alone. Maybe they slipped a grocery store gift card into your mailbox when you were laid off from work. Bring yourself back to that moment, feel what it was like to know that you had help available to you, and take a deep breath.

Neighbors play an important role in our social lives. They're usually not related to us, and there is an element of randomness to who we get as neighbors. Some places are more neighborful than others - I've lived in tight-knit neighborhoods, and also in places where I didn't even know my neighbors' names.

But as we are seeing in Minneapolis right now, the best neighborhoods will go to extraordinary lengths to take care of each other. Good neighbors remind us that we are all connected, and that when times are truly hard, it is possible to depend on each other for help. As any Midwesterner would say, it's just what we do.

Thank you for all that you do for your own neighbors. I'm more grateful for you and for your generous spirit than I will ever be able to say. ❄️❤️😊

This Week in Neighborful Station

Our latest episode is Chili Bowls (Apple)(Spotify). You visit Rustin Middle School for a town-wide dinner, hosted by the kids. Fritz and Anna are out front, helping bake a scrumptious array of breads, and there are other old friends who will join you for the meal. 🏫🍞🥣

Coming up this Saturday: Claire's Birthday. On a snowy Saturday afternoon, you join the celebration of baby Claire's first full trip around the sun, and find yourself receiving a gift, instead of giving one. ⛄🎁🎂

Wish of the Week

May you remember that you are surrounded by helpful people, who want to see you happy and successful in every part of your life.

Sleds are meant to fly, Michael