I live on the very busy main street of a small town. More and more I noticed my neighbors hurrying by, so focused on their cell phones that they didn’t even look up as they went down the sidewalk. Sometimes I’d have to say hello two or three times before anyone responded.
I had an idea. I made a sign that said Stop and Chat a While and put it up in my front lawn. Would anyone take me up on it? All kinds of people did! A grandmother pushing her grandson in a stroller; two young brothers, who shook hands with me; guys covered with tattoos, riding their beat-up skateboards; a woman on her way to the post office (she would come back just about every day to talk about the world’s problems).
My favorite visitor of all was my five-year-old neighbor, Laynie, who played with a plastic tea set I would bring out just for her. Word got out about my sign and people started asking me about it when they saw me at the grocery store, the post office, even church. I invite them— and everyone—to stop by. I love hearing my neighbors’ stories. Sometimes I even make cookies to share while we visit.
Want to get to know your neighbors better? Put up a sign!
Learn more about Someone Cares greeting cards!
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