I have lived in my home for 17 years. I have seen a lot of people come and go. Family breakups, death, relocating because of a job – and so on. My next-door neighbor, Jerry, just sold his house because he was very ill and needed to move closer to his family. He only lived there for one year. I would see him come and go and noticed that he was getting weaker and weaker when he pulled the trashcan to the curb and returned from the grocery store. I offered to help when I saw him. He always politely declined. When he moved, he didn’t say goodbye, nor did I. I hate goodbyes. Hellos I can deal with. Goodbyes, not so much.

Our neighbors across the street were here when we moved in. We know their children, their grandchildren, their travel schedule and basic medical history. We have a key to their house. Last week I noticed that David was up to something in his garage and it was more than just the usual tinkering. I went over to find that he had a plethora of raw crystals strategically placed in plastic drawers. He was thrilled that I was interested and proceeded to tell me about his new hobby and even said that his children think he’s a bit crazy (“crystals at my age!”); but he likes them. He was eager to give me several; identifying each one and proceeded to place them in a red organza bag (as if to say, thank you for your purchase, please come again.) I looked in his eyes, felt his body language change and could not stop staring at his beaming smile. He was lit up. Never in a million years did I think that my 78-year-old neighbor would teach me something (anything) about crystals. The garage school would become a place where I would frequent every time I had the chance.

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." Sophia Loren

When people age, they want and need to talk. It is not so much to hear their own voice, but to share their stories. Yes, they enjoy their weekly game of bridge with their peers, but when they are around people younger than themselves, they become young, too. It is the greatest form of respect when you take the time to listen. I mean listen; without interrupting, listen. For the past couple of weeks, I have been practicing non-stealing. When I first heard this principle, I thought about the pack of gum that I stole on the way home from church! The principle of non-stealing has little to do with that pack of gum – it has a lot to do with not interrupting; whereby not stealing someone’s else opportunity to speak. Big reality check for me. My form of interrupting came when I thought that I knew what the other person was going to say and that they need help moving their story along. No one needs my help when it comes to their story. I am not proud of this character defect, what I am proud of is that I have the awareness and with that, comes a great opportunity for change.

These days, when I take the dogs for a walk, I find that my pace is a bit slower. I am enjoying my surroundings and the stories that my neighbors are sharing with me. There is a beautiful balance between knowing of and getting to know people. Today I know the difference. Today I show up. Today I listen. Tomorrow I will share. And the days after that; are a gift that I am excited to unwrap.

Blessings. Today and always.

Kim

#listen #lovethyneighbor #bekindanyway #IMpossible