The Value of Neighbors

Lyn and Marsha were great neighbors. I miss them.

He was a heavily bearded, Harley riding, tender spirit. She was the calm, collected, smiling counterpart to Lyn.

When we became neighbors Lyn seemed intimidating. However, regular conversations over the fence allowed us to become something more than simple acquaintances.

Lyn passed along shoots from his strawberry plants and I passed along transplants from my raspberries. I gave him all the rhubarb he wanted and he passed along homemade jellies that featured rhubarb, and strawberries, and raspberries.

We watered houseplants and fed fish when they were out town and they returned the favor when we were gone.

I recall Lyn harvesting dry seeds from my wildflowers so he could start his own wildflower garden, and when we bought a new metal bunk bed for our daughter he was at the door with his cordless drill to help in the assembly (we didn’t even have to ask). Our second shed was also built with the wisdom and experience Lyn had to offer. The sidewalks were often cleaned off by Lyn because he had a snow blower and liked to use it (or so he said).

There is something within me that suspects Lyn and Marsha got the short end of the stick, but they never complained. My family has always felt grateful in knowing Lyn and Marsha.

How did being neighborly help us with less expensive living? When you take into account the cost of all the things we shared without the exchange of money it equaled hundreds and even thousands of dollars over the nine years we were neighbors. I can’t even begin to assign a value to the memories.

In the 21^st century there may be valid arguments for not becoming friends with some neighbor, but perhaps friendliness is simply a lost art that needs to be found by many.

Do you know your neighbor’s name? Have you ever shared tools, skills or recipes? Have you ever asked or been asked to watch over property when away?

Not every neighbor will be like Lyn and Marsha, but you never know if you never acknowledge them. It is surprising what a shared meal or strawberry-rhubarb jelly can do to bring neighbors together.

Here are a couple of other ideas on how neighbors are working together to save money.

When you can cooperate with a neighbor you are accessing more knowledge, greater opportunity and shared good will. The trick is to never wear out your welcome, and give in the same way you receive. Here’s some extra reading on working collectively to help one or more neighbors.

More ideas for less expensive living next time.