Note from my Neighbor

 Hey Neighbor!

Welcome back to THE NEIGHBORHOOD!  This week’s story is about a little surprise that I found in my door.  

Here in New York City, we live on top of one another in apartment buildings.  For people living in such close quarters, we know very little about each other. 

In my hometown of Havertown, PA, my neighbors are like extended members of my own family.  My parents recently went to a potluck at a neighbor’s house.  We say hi to everyone when we walk down the street, even if we don’t know them.  

Not in New York City.  

Here, you don’t make eye contact.  You don’t peep a word, unless someone is in danger.  As they say in the subway train announcements, “If you see something, say something.”  

It can feel very impersonal…until it’s not.  

I am opening my apartment door after a long day at work.  I am carrying my mail and I turn to make sure the door is locked behind me.  I notice a slip of white paper.  

“From Your Neighbors at 33” 

Instantly I go into panic mode thinking that something is wrong.  Is there a leak somewhere?  A bug problem?  What could it be? 

I open it up to find out that my neighbors are having a house party and wanted to pre-apologize for the noise.  They also wanted to invite us up to say hi.  “You’re welcome to join anytime!  We’d love to meet neighbors!” 

Wow.  

I love when things like this happen.  I always romanticized “living across the hall from your friends like they do on Friends.”  You can imagine that I was thrilled when my friends Erika and Hannah moved in downstairs.  I found out they were when I saw them moving stuff in back in May.  

I’m so glad that I have neighbors that I can say hi to in the hallway.  I’m glad that I can drop off cookies, and share a set of keys in case someone gets locked out.  It makes me feel a little less alone and it reminds me of my childhood neighbors.  

I’m grateful for the hometown feeling in my little corner of New York City. 

What about you, Neighbor?  What about your current neighborhood feels “homey?”  How have you tried to show up for your neighbors?  

I look forward to hearing your stories.  

I’ve Got You in My Pocket,

Jackie 

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