"Howdy Neighbor"

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beautywood,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So let's make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we're together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please,
Won't you please,
Please won't you be my neighbor?

Spoken: Hi television neighbor, I'm glad we're together again....
(Theme song from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood)

The other day I was walking down the hallway with a colleague at work.  As we were on our way to a meeting, I saw her turn and smile at a gentleman getting on the same elevator as the two of us.  As he moved into the elevator, she cheerfully said, "Howdy Neighbor!".  They stood and chatted in the elevator about their children and as I stood there listening, I found myself finding the term that she used to be quite endearing, "Howdy Neighbor!"  I don't know if I've ever used that term myself and if I tell you the truth, I'm not sure I could even tell you one of my neighbors last name and if I'm really truthful, I'm not sure I really care that I don't know their names.

There was a time when I knew everyone on the block...a time when we had ice cream socials and neighborhood chili suppers.  We sat out in the cul de sac and let the kids play and ride their bikes and we'd sit with our iced diet Pepsi's and chat about our day.  Then a subdivision went into the open field behind my house and the cul de sac became a street with lots of traffic.  People moved, the drug dealer moved in, then the "crazy folks"  moved in and suddenly I lost the desire to be part of the community in which I lived. 

I didn't want to know their lives any more, didn't want to be waving or talking or having them knock at my door.....don't come to my door for a cup of sugar.

There have not been many "Howdy neighbors" from me.

My friends' comment  invited me to think about this concept and reflect upon why my I have lost interest in the people who live near me.

That was the first part of the day----later in the evening, my daughter and I stopped by Kroger to pick up a few items.   As we walked in the door, I stopped dead in my tracks and felt my mouth fall open.

There in front of the greeters area stood an easel with some pictures and words of love along side a wreath covered in pink with a picture of my favorite greeter in the center.   My mouth fell open and I looked around.  One of the employees looked at me and said, "yes, she passed away."

You know, I didn't even know her name before yesterday.....Marilyn.

She was a small framed tiny woman with gray hair.  She looked to be in her seventies.  She was a gentle spirit whose quite way of standing at the door and wiping carts and sweeping the front of my neighborhood Kroger.  She was a regular part of my day-to-day life and suddenly one of my afternoon pegs was gone and I felt a wave of grief settle upon my spirit.

I thought about Marilyn several times throughout the day today.  I thought of the daily hello's and have a nice days...thought of the times we discussed needing more small carts and remembered how we always complained together about the fact that we were sick of cold weather and snow.

Today when I stopped in, I went to the service area and I asked what happened to Ms. Marilyn.  I was told that she died from a long struggle with lymphoma.  Everyday, on days when she must have felt bad, on days she may have been weak, I walked by Ms. Marilyn and occasionally spoke but more often than not we'd just nod.   I will miss her gentle gracefulness at the front of Kroger everyday and it is apparent that my experience with her had more of an impact on my life than the person who lives next door whose name I do not know---seems a bit weird, don't you think.

I'm not going to say that I'm going to become the neighborhood welcome wagon, or become the neighbor who bakes cookies or delivers bread but perhaps, just perhaps I can make an effort to be more committed to becoming a more vested member of my own little community.

Maybe....Just maybe the next time I see my neighbor outside, perhaps if I'm awake enough, perhaps if I push myself,

I might just find myself opening up a bit and saying,

"Howdy Neighbor!"

When it happens, I'll let you know what happens and my neighbors will  no longer have to ask, "won't you be my neighbor?".