Good fences make good neighbors

I think we've probably all heard that analogy before. And sometimes (like in the case of the people who live right next to us), good fences do make good neighbors.

But today, I found out what else makes good neighbors. And that's a loving, caring attitude.

A nice family who lives a few houses down dropped off a basket filled to the rim with food for us today. They had prepared a meal, then finished it off with pantry items we might need. It included a note saying they were thinking of us and that because we had been good neighbors to them, they wanted to be good neighbors to us in our time of need. The note said they planned to bring us a basket like that every week until my husband had a new job. I later found money tucked inside the basket, too. It was just too much.

I was moved to tears by their generosity. So was my husband. And he's not the type to get emotional that easily. But how can you not be emotional about that kind of thoughtfulness?

Yes, we've been good neighbors to them. I've babysat their cat on more than one occasion while they were away, but anyone who knows me knows I love animals, so that was no chore at all. I remember greeting them on the day they moved to the neighborhood, and baked them a cake. None of these things are stuff I expected gratitude for. Again, that's just who I am. But they have remembered each instance, and recounted it in their letter. It was so nice to know that someone cares enough about us to do this. We only hope that we can continue to be good neighbors to them, no fences required. :)