THE NEIGHBORHOOD

We are so different in many ways

in all we think and do,

these folks living in our neighborhood,

folks like me and you.

With some, we may share many interests

and with others just a few;

and there are those you never do invite

to a backyard barbecue

but we all still are neighbors,

just plain folks like me and you

and most are folks that we can count on

when life’s troubles start to brew

or some tragedy strikes home for us.

When life hands you a painful punch

it’s your neighbors without a doubt

who show up on your doorstep

with some comfort to hand out.

They’ll  come, maybe a tasty casserole

or a sweet pastry to share;

it’s the folks around your neighborhood

that always show up there

when some crisis hits your home

offering a kind and a hand up

until you can stand strong on your own,

making sure you have enough,

sit and talk, maybe just listen

and you know you’re not alone.

They are willing to run errands

or just answer the telephone,

do some chores, just wash some dishes

so you’re not left to struggle on your own.

To some we may never have said much

more than “good morning” or a casual “hi”

or just waved a greeting

as they were passing by

but it’s the folks around your neighborhood

on whom you can rely.

There’s not much to be more treasured

than in the kindness and the favor

found in the love of God, family, close friends

and God’s blessing of good neighbors.