I've been living in my co-op for almost 29 years. Wow...I remember thinking I could never live in one place that long. But here I am and in that time, I have had a few different neighbors.
My favorite, who lived across the hall from me for about 20 of those years, was 40 years older than me. His name was Bill T. I remember when I first met him, I hoped we could become friends. I started by leaving bagels by his door on Sunday mornings. Next thing I knew, I was having him over for dinner. We were up talking late into the night (at least him and my boyfriend were). We were helping him with his computer. And when he got older and more feeble, we took care of him since his daughters lived far away. I made sure to visit with him in the hospital in NYC several times a week when he would be there from time to time. I have to say, I loved him. He passed away about 8 years ago. I was there, in the hospital room, when he died. I was already feeling the loss.
I've have a couple of new neighbors there now. I didn't and still don't know them very well. More recent neighbors don't seem to be as willing to "connect" like Bill T. and I did. It's a long story, but in this garden apartment building there were four of us for several years. My neighbor, Lois downstairs from me and Irving across the hall from her. She took care of Irving (who was several years older) and I did the same for Bill T. I have to say...we were always there for each other. Any opportunity to help each other...we did just that. It's not the case any more. I miss Bill T. So, when I saw this article today, I was able to relate.
How well do you know your neighbors?
http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/12/why-dont-americans-know-their-neighbors-anymore/20945813/?icid=maing-grid7|maing5|dl40|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D514339
If you'd like to read the longer, original article, here is the link - http://www.macleans.ca/society/the-end-of-neighbours/
My favorite, who lived across the hall from me for about 20 of those years, was 40 years older than me. His name was Bill T. I remember when I first met him, I hoped we could become friends. I started by leaving bagels by his door on Sunday mornings. Next thing I knew, I was having him over for dinner. We were up talking late into the night (at least him and my boyfriend were). We were helping him with his computer. And when he got older and more feeble, we took care of him since his daughters lived far away. I made sure to visit with him in the hospital in NYC several times a week when he would be there from time to time. I have to say, I loved him. He passed away about 8 years ago. I was there, in the hospital room, when he died. I was already feeling the loss.
I've have a couple of new neighbors there now. I didn't and still don't know them very well. More recent neighbors don't seem to be as willing to "connect" like Bill T. and I did. It's a long story, but in this garden apartment building there were four of us for several years. My neighbor, Lois downstairs from me and Irving across the hall from her. She took care of Irving (who was several years older) and I did the same for Bill T. I have to say...we were always there for each other. Any opportunity to help each other...we did just that. It's not the case any more. I miss Bill T. So, when I saw this article today, I was able to relate.
How well do you know your neighbors?
http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/12/why-dont-americans-know-their-neighbors-anymore/20945813/?icid=maing-grid7|maing5|dl40|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D514339
If you'd like to read the longer, original article, here is the link - http://www.macleans.ca/society/the-end-of-neighbours/
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