A note appeared in my mailbox a few weeks ago seeking support for a neighborhood street party. To be honest, it seemed like late spring was a strange time for block parties, in the season of graduations, communions, Mothers' and Father's Days. To be honest, I live alone and have no young children; but, the note seemed to be heartfelt, sincere, and welcoming.
My first reaction to the note, which asked you to scan a QR code for information and sign ups, was to not respond; but the note bugged me and eventually I responded through the code. For some reason, I felt compelled to sign up to bring veggies, hummus, chips, and chicken fingers, perhaps because I would not be bringing children.
To be honest, I did not know the person who sent the note. After some investigation, I determined the house, just 3 homes away, had changed hands under a private sale this spring. I did know the former, elderly homeowner had not been outside in a long, long time, but there were no outward signs of this private home sale.
So, late on Saturday afternoon, I showed up at the street/block party with my contributions to meet lots of new neighbors and lots of older neighbors who I really did not know. We discussed common concerns such as water in the basement and insatiable rabbits. We talked about the technology and physical book challenges our library has experienced. We laughed as the youngest on our street rode scooters and threw Frisbees. We played corn-hole and giant Jenga and we talked about our neighborhood and ourselves. We made plans for a December cooperative dinner and discussed how we could encourage greater participation in the future.
After almost 7 years on my new-to-me street in my new-to me town, in my new-to me state, I am still a newbie by the old-timers and also an old-timer by the real newbies! It's a funny place to be, but it really does sum up where I am in this chapter of life!
