Who are the characters in your neighborhood?

One of the funny things about living in a neighborhood is getting to know the comings and goings of the people who live around you. We’re fortunate enough to have great neighbors. It’s one of the things that makes me love our home so much.

Ms. P, who lives catty-corner to us, is an absolute delight. Well north of 90 years old, she is full of wisdom and spice. She brings my children small presents for Christmas and Easter. She never calls us by our right names, but I’m not going to correct her when I know that if she’s talking about Rick… well, that’s my husband’s name now.

Our next-door neighbor, a kind retiree, pulls our trash cans in from the curb for us on garbage days and sends us hand-me-down toys from his grandkids. This summer, he gave us bags and bags of the juiciest tomatoes and delicious zucchini. His grandkids live around the corner and they took care of our pets when we were in the hospital to have our youngest.

I always chat with the couple who live the next street over while we’re out for walks. The husband volunteers at a food pantry and the wife always has a sea of beautiful purple flowers in bloom in front of their home. One day during a stroll, she asked if it was ok to give the kids cookies. When I said yes, she excitedly ran in and grabbed three homemade cookies from their freezer. My son asks me if we can have more every time we walk past their home.

We live in a very simple suburban neighborhood. Perhaps, it’s like your own. And it’s filled to the brim with the most delightful characters. How about yours?