How to Build a Community

Yesterday, as we walked up street from Church, we noticed that the neighbors were out and shoveling snow. David was running the snow blower up the sidewalk on our side of the street and Steve was using his snow blower up the opposite side. These guys were not just working in front of their homes, but were clearing the snow from corner to corner. When I looked out the back window of the house, I noticed that Michele was out brushing the snow off of our cars and the back garden stairs had been swept as well. How thoughtful! But that is what this neighborhood is about. This past summer, we fertilized and composted their flower beds for them on a regular basis. June, across the street always is making kitchen goodies and passing them around, as is Michele. We have Tag Sales together and picnics and pot luck dinners together. During our first summer here in this neighborhood, while enjoying Father Richard's gardens at the church, we asked if we could cull seeds and deadhead his garden for him, in hopes of starting the flowers in our own yard, and his response was, "Are you my neighbor? Then of course!" Anyway, it got me thinking about a poster I once saw and would like to repeat here. How To Build a Community Turn off your TV, Leave your house, Know your neighbors, Look up when you are walking, Greet people, Sit on your stoop, Plant flowers, Use your library, Play together, Buy from local merchants, Share what you have, Help a lost dog, Take children to the park, Garden together, Support neighborhood schools, Fix it even if you didn't break it, Have pot lucks, Honor elders, Pick up litter, Read stories aloud, Dance in the street, Talk to the mail carrier, Feed the birds, Put up a swing, Help carry something heavy, Barter for your goods, Start a tradition, Ask a question, Hire young people for odd jobs, Organize a block party, Bake extra and share, Ask for help when you need it, Open your shades, Sing together, Share your skills, Take back the night, Turn up the music, Turn down the music, Listen before you react to anger, Seek to understand, Learn from new and uncomfortable angles, Know that no one is silent though many are not heard. Work to change this.