topic Re: Neighbors helping neighbors in Community Chat

Neighbors helping neighbors

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 17:51:08 GMT

My friend and next door neighbor just called me to make sure I was OK and ask if I needed anything.

Her son is the young man who often carries up my groceries. But lately, he's been working and busy at school. So I've been managing on my own.

Anyway, I'm a very independent person. I learned how to be that way from the time I was 13 years old and went to live with my single daughter and her 4 children. I was the "mother" and she was the "father".

So my friend ran down the list of what she could share. She said, "I have 2 cases of water, I can share, I have 2 packages of toilet paper and I made my own hand sanitizer. I can share it all with you."

I said, "Well, I have 4 cases of water (I only drink a specific kind), I have plenty of toilet paper AND lots of hand sanitizer.

So, I told her thanks but you keep your water and toilet paper. I told her that I will put on the front porch a large unopened bottle of hand sanitizer and if she needs anything else to please call me.

I'm sure many of you know of and have offered up whatever you have and can to your neighbors.

When I told my girls about the neighbor calling, they laughed and said, "Mom, does she know you". I laughed and said, well I guess her son never mentioned all of the water and stuff he brings into my house normally before all of this started.

I like specific toilet paper, specific bottled water and use hand sanitizer by the pints. I always have. Remember.....germaphobe.

It's wonderful how we can and do all help each other. My neighbor is first generation American. She is so kind and sweet. She's taught me so much about her Mother country, it's people, foods and so on.

Anyway, I posted because for a long time now there has been so much doom and gloom, we all need to be reminded about the goodness in all of us.

My daughter told me last week that her 3 teenagers told her that generation feels the doom and gloom and sadness.

My daughter was upset that she didn't think they realized how serious this was. That's when they told her about their feelings of doom and gloom.

But I told her it won't last. This feeling of doom and gloom will disappear and they'll be testing her and their boundaries again before she knows it.

It's the nature of the youth to take chances and not realize the danger. It's because your children are involved that they do realize it's necessary to be in that mode now; but, like I said, it will change back.

We're going to get through this in this country.

I've never liked being around people who are precise, feel such a sense of doom and gloom and so quickly grasp and realize danger.

I've always been someone who sees the glass 1/2 full.

My oldest daughter is the opposite. My point is it takes people with various personalities to make this country great.

You have no idea what I've been hearing from my oldest daughter since .....December. Yep! December, she started in on this. Not this exact thing but something was going to disrupt things. Then it was "I've been hearing from friends in other countries...they've been seeing signs". And on and on!

My favorite thing is the way companies are stepping up. The liquor industry is making hand sanitizers. The automative industry is making breathing apartus, Hanes is now making masks instead of underwear.

Americans pull together when necessary.

When we took a month and traveled all over Europe, this was back around 1998 we saw people's faces when they heard us that we were American. I had some fun conversations with people who hadn't traveled much. The one thing I heard was that they'd love to visit America one day.

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

Financialgrl — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 18:45:24 GMT

From what I've seen on TV a lot of goodwill has broken out everywhere and everyone seems to be trying to be helping in some way. I've decided that rather than run to the store for me, I've been cleaning out my freezer. ALL those meals that I made and put leftovers in the freezer - are finally getting used up.

My hope is that when we are on the other side of this pandemic that ppl remember some of the good things we've done for each other during this time and continue it.

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

BeautyLver — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:04:52 GMT

@Financialgrl wrote:
From what I've seen on TV a lot of goodwill has broken out everywhere and everyone seems to be trying to be helping in some way. I've decided that rather than run to the store for me, I've been cleaning out my freezer. ALL those meals that I made and put leftovers in the freezer - are finally getting used up.

My hope is that when we are on the other side of this pandemic that ppl remember some of the good things we've done for each other during this time and continue it.

It is amazing all the goodwill...all the selfless acts being performed in communities...not just in our own areas but in communities worldwide. This pandemic in various countries...reminds us often times we are more alike than we are different. We all need the basics..food, shelter, air and water. People risking their own health, wellbeing to offer themselves, their assistance to those perhaps more vulnerable. The good will of others never ceases to amaze. And those working in various professions, everyone on the front lines in so many professions...will never be able to say "thank you" enough.

And, like you...I too am "shopping my freezer", lol. It's a good thing!

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

shaggygirl — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:14:08 GMT

Am I losing it? No matter how times I read it I still see you saying that at age 13 you had a daughter who had 4 children that you went to live with. Maybe if I read it enough times it'll make sense.

Anyhow, I also had a neighbor across the street and down 2 houses call me today because she hadn't seen me puttering outside the house nor driving down the street in a couple of weeks and she was worrying.(yes i was sick & housebound for almost 2 weeks) We've both been on this street for over 40 years. In fact we're the only "originals" from when the neighborhood was new. Our kids grew up together. My point, it's good to know someone still keeps an eye and worries when you haven't been seen for awhile.

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

Preds — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:27:50 GMT

@shaggygirl ... I believe she meant her sister. Seems I remember her saying that once.

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

shaggygirl — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:34:13 GMT

@Preds wrote:
@shaggygirl ... I believe she meant her sister. Seems I remember her saying that once.

@Preds

Aha, now that would make sense! (and also mean it's not just me not be able to think clearly)

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

Preds — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:37:42 GMT

@shaggygirl wrote:
@Preds wrote:
@shaggygirl ... I believe she meant her sister. Seems I remember her saying that once.
@Preds

Aha, now that would make sense! (and also mean it's not just me not be able to think clearly)

Nope, not you ... this time @shaggygirl . LOL

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

sunshine 919 — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:49:39 GMT

I have two friends that have bought in bulk since their 20's lol I am just the opposite and how sweet of both of them to offer me toilet paper. I am good for now but I told them its nice to know that they have extra

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

meem120 — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:57:24 GMT

Do you wonder perhaps the country needed this? Ive been thinking anout it alot. We have become so selfish and disrespectful towards each other. People are always in a hurry with neery a smile. Kids disrespect their parent, teachers and authority figures. Crime and drug use is rampant, All across the country people hate their lives, theres no community anymore. Everyone wants to be a Kardashian. Maybe things will change for the better. Hate to see anyone sick though, I hope it starts to reverse itself shortly and we have a new normal.

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

mom2four0418 — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 20:30:42 GMT

@meem120 wrote:
Do you wonder perhaps the country needed this? Ive been thinking anout it alot. We have become so selfish and disrespectful towards each other. People are always in a hurry with neery a smile. Kids disrespect their parent, teachers and authority figures. Crime and drug use is rampant, All across the country people hate their lives, theres no community anymore. Everyone wants to be a Kardashian. Maybe things will change for the better. Hate to see anyone sick though, I hope it starts to reverse itself shortly and we have a new normal.

No, I do not think that the country needed this. It's sad that you have such a negative view of people.

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

Sooner — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 20:44:04 GMT

I grew up with the Cold War and thinking we'd be nuked any day. All of us have to cope with things that are scary and unpleasant. We all have to find out own path to doing it. Young and old.

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

RoughDraft — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 22:41:00 GMT

@meem120 wrote:
Do you wonder perhaps the country needed this? Ive been thinking anout it alot. We have become so selfish and disrespectful towards each other. People are always in a hurry with neery a smile. Kids disrespect their parent, teachers and authority figures. Crime and drug use is rampant, All across the country people hate their lives, theres no community anymore. Everyone wants to be a Kardashian. Maybe things will change for the better. Hate to see anyone sick though, I hope it starts to reverse itself shortly and we have a new normal.

From whence does this kind of thinking come from?

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

on the bay — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 23:29:37 GMT

@Sooner -

So strange we keep thinking along the same lines!

I was just thinking the other day that this reminds me of the cuban missile crisis where we knew any minute we might not be here! We were very young, but old enough to know waiting for the school bus-so surreal.

Of course this is longer but kind of the same feeling and you're right we all have to find a way to live thru this

and hopefully we will!

Re: Neighbors helping neighbors

jeanlake — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:27:34 GMT

Love the heartwarming stories. Keep them coming.