Community Chat

[Biftu]

We've had a lot of snow over the past few days.  I was out there shoveling and my neighbor came out and helped me shovel.  I only shovel half my driveway because that is good enough yet he insists on shoveling the whole thing.  I told him it's not necessary but he insists.  Yesterday the snow stopped late at night and when I woke up this morning he had shoveled my long walkway and driveway.  He is much younger than me and probably figures he'd help this old lady.. I am very grateful.

A few years ago when they first moved in he helped me shovel as well.  At that time I left a restaurant gift card in their mailbox.  When he saw me he thanked me but asked me please not to do that again he was just being a good neighbor.  The next time I left a thank you card in their mailbox.

i obviously thank him when I see him, but have a hard time not doing more than just a thanks.  Should I just accept his kindness and let it go with just saying thank you?  

[Cakers3]

@Biftu

He say he did not want anything.

A simple "Thank you" is enough.

He could be following a personal program or even a religious tenet.

Let it go and respect his request.

[TexasMom1]

Bake him some cookies or something! Tell him you made too many and you are happy to share!

[QVCkitty1]

I'm like you and Iike to give something in return for a kindness. However I think in this case follow what your kind neighbor asked. The thank you card is fine. I have a nice neighbor also who helps with my trash bins without asking, we are fortunate.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Hubbs plows the driveway for a couple of neighbors. He expects nothing in return. We are just country neighbors and know that if we need help we can ask. 

[Iwantcoffee]

I would accept his kindness with a thank you.

[nyc1]

@Biftu   The neighbors on both sides of us plow our front walk, if they are out first.  We do the same if we are first.  In this case he helped SHOVEL your entire driveway, and has done so several times.  This is beyond kind and appreciated by you.   

As someone else said you can bake something or at the end of the season you can still give him a gift card and tell him,  you understand that he feels it's not necessary,  but that it is for you because you are so grateful.  Let him know it makes YOU happy to reward his kindness in return.

[kaydee50]

I would respect his wishes BUT I would try to find out if he has a favorite charity and make a donation in his name.

[Group 5 minus 1]

The thing about the cookies: in today's world there are so many of us w/food allergies and specials diets. I would ask first.

[Mombo1]

@Biftu   I have a very helpful neighbor who always shovels my driveway when it snows.  He doesn't expect anything in return...but I have found something that he and his wife are always more than happy to accept.  My sister-in-law makes fabulous homemade pizzelles.  They tried them once and were crazy about them.  Since she sends me dozens ...I keep them in the freezer for my thank you to them.  They are always more than happy to receive them.  So I guess it depends if you know what your neighbor likes and what you are comfortable with.  Otherwise a thank you is fine.