By KRISTINE SCHROEDER
Lessons Learned
Neighbors are the everyday family with whom God gifts us. Recently, I was reminded of that when one of our neighbors fell ill and had to spend a month in rehab. We missed him and were saddened to think of the possibility of losing his presence in our lives. Fortunately, he recovered and returned.
Our 45 years of marriage has been enriched by the people who surround us. Many years ago, our next-door neighbors asked if they might put their swing set in our side yard. Their back yard took a steep descent immediately behind their garage, and there was no relatively safe area for three small boys to play. Since that area of the yard was of little use to us, we agreed in exchange for half the mowing. The trade worked well, and it seems our plethora of grandchildren have benefitted more than their now-grown boys ever did. When a swing broke last summer, Robert, our neighbor – without a request – repaired it within the week.
We have been the recipients of a multitude of kindnesses over the years. It helps to live between two handy people. A pipe was leaking. We called our neighbor. A tire was flat. Our neighbor’s son volunteered to change it. Gone for 10 days on vacation. We arrived home to a mown yard and a meal in our refrigerator. Since our first married year in Lebanon, Indiana, the kindnesses of neighbors could fill four columns and more.
St. Teresa of Avila states, “Our Lord asks but two things: love for God and love for our neighbor.” What a world it would be if every person and every nation practiced those commandments daily. Note – neighbors are not defined only by proximity. They extend to store clerks who check us out, waiters who serve us, mailmen and newspaper carriers who trudge through six inches of snow and ice to bring us news and more.
A smile or a kind word of appreciation; sometimes, that is all God asks from us. However, at times it may be more. Mother Theresa states, “The fact that God places a certain soul in our way is a sign that God wants us to do something for him or her.” Through prayer and a willingness to hear God’s will, we will come to understand what it is we are asked to do.
Years ago, our family was traveling home from a beach vacation at St. George Island. A few miles outside of Dothan, Alabama, we encountered what all travelers dread – red lights on the dash panel. Our car sputtered its way into the city Saturday evening where we took a room for the night. Sunday morning, we sent our traveling companions on their way home and coaxed our car to a nearby Catholic church for Mass. No repair shop was open, and we figured the extra prayers might help.
As we filed out of church, the priest stopped us, noting that we were “new around these parts.” We explained our plight and asked if he knew of any possible repair shops in the vicinity. Fortunately, a parishioner standing close by heard our lament, quickly introduced himself and his wife, and offered to have a look at our vehicle. They lived within a mile of church.
Turns out he was a retired pilot. Within 30 minutes, he had diagnosed the problem and made a temporary fix that assured our return to Evansville for permanent repairs later. In the meantime, his wife fixed us breakfast. That plan, I am sure, had not been on either of their agendas when they woke that morning. But they demonstrated that we were their neighbors, and then acted accordingly. We have never forgotten their kindness.
Imagine this world if every person, every community, every ethnic group and every country truly treated each other as family. Instead of greed there would be generosity; instead of hoarding there would be sharing; instead of hate there would be an outpouring of love; instead of hardness of heart there would be compassion; instead of war, peace would reign. What can we as mere individuals do to promote a kinder, gentler universe? Mother Theresa said it well. “Go home and love your family,” remembering that the family includes all of God’s children!