Great Neighbors are a Great Blessing!

I am continually reminded how good I have it here in my neighborhood. We moved here almost 8 years ago to live close to other families in our church. There have been some moves in and out among our church friends, but since we moved here there have been 7-9 families living within a mile of each other, usually much less than that. What's more, these families have a strong commitment to living out their Christian faith in practical, supportive ways. DH and I are probably the youngest couple, and we are the only ones still having children, so we feel like we give the least and benefit the most. I hope someday we can give back better.

Tonight I was home with just my 1yo while DH took the older children to the pool (well, our 9yo DD had gone to one of these friends' homes for a sleep-over already). The doorbell rang and I pulled my heavy, pregnant self to the door. What a pleasant surprise to find my neighbor-from-about-a-mile-away, MK, on my doorstep. She is a mother to five older children, the youngest is 12, and she has such a generous, kind nature, which is never more evident than when around an expectant woman. She visited for about an hour, during which time my family returned and enjoyed her company as well. We talked about birth experiences (of course), raising children in the internet age, her aging mother-in-law, her volunteer tutoring, and shifting our priorities through the stages of mothering.... It was such a mood-lifter. I was feeling a bit lonely this weekend, and actually cried this morning as my husband and children left for church without me. Her visit helped to put my end-of-pregnancy emotions into better perspective.

She is a back-up to my other neighbor for when I go into labor. I wish all Americans had the level of support among their neighbors that I enjoy. Of course, it is a challenge for many of us just to BE available as a good neighbor ourselves. I'm afraid we've all but lost the art of it--in the suburbs, anyway.