My brothers and I have a competition to be the good son. My brothers would spoil my parents in New York at nice restaurants. I would take them to Cardwell’s where my friend was the chef. Chef Mike would come out and walk my dad through the menu, appetizers would hit the table before the menus, and an eye-popping dessert plate finished the meal. These were great nights and a nice gift but the greatest gift has not com from us. The greatest gift is my mom’s next-door neighbor.
My father past away several years ago. My mother still lives in her house. Her current neighbors are beyond fantastic. When the alarm panel needs a new battery, he pops one in. When it snows, the driveway and sidewalk gets shoveled. When they are going to the grocery store they ask if she needs any staples.
Social contact? Their young son rings the doorbell, steps back 20 feet, and talks to my mom from the tree in the front yard.
Twenty thousand little things they do help my mom to stay in the house, age in place, and make it through the pandemic. If you could buy a neighbor like this, everyone would have one. They are the greatest gift my mom could receive. Sometimes you just get lucky.