It does not matter where we live - we will have neighbours; in a condo, a house, an apartment or on the farm. We all have neighbours. Living side by side with a neighbour can have its challenges, having good neighbours can also be a great blessing.
Living with neighbours will require both give and take for both parties. Being a good neighbour means we will not do anything to annoy our neighbour. No loud parties, not mowing the lawn at 6:30 AM; we won't yell at their children, we mind our own business, we don't ask personal questions, just to name only a few. If we treat our neighbours the way we would like to be treated and we will never have problems with any of our neighbours.
We are to love our neighbour as ourselves - that is the golden rule isn't it? How can we accomplish this rule in today's society? I do admit it can be challenging at times, but often we make a situation more difficult than it really is.
My grandfather used to say, "Fences make for good neighbours." There is a lot of truth to that statement. We had a lot of fence on the farm. Each quarter of land at one time had a fence. The fencing was done, not for good neighbour relations, but to keep our cattle and sheep in place. In later years, the cattle were gone, but the fence row, which was now grown in amongst the trees, remained.
I recall a new neighbour bought a quarter of land next to us and he asked me if he could take down the broken fence and tree line and break up the land. My response to him was, "Maybe leave the fence line as it is - fences make for good neighbours." Grandfather's saying I think rings true to me this very day.
Today we see many yards in the rural area and also within the city limits. Most of these fences today are not to keep animals on the right side of the property line- they are for good neighbour relations. Everyone wants their own privacy. We want to be able to go into our back yard and have no one see us or bother us.
We too have a back yard that is fenced, but our fence is to keep the grandchildren and dog on the right side. We never sit out in the back yard- we sit on the front deck and watch the people as they go by. As people walk by, often a conversation will begin with a complete stranger.
When our new neighbours moved in, we went over to introduce ourselves. I think this is the responsibility of the neighbour who has been there the longest. Welcome new comers into the community and help them to get to know others around the neighbourhood.
Smile and wave as a neighbour goes by- Most people respond to a smile and a wave. They may or may not smile or wave back, but don't let that stop us from showing friendly, neighbourly actions. Our neighbours have been a blessing to us. We enjoy their company and their friendship. We share our phone numbers and we wish them all the best as they become part of our community.
Nothing brings neighbours together like a block party, or BBQ. Try it in your neighbourhood and watch the adults and children mingle and enjoy the evening. Let's befriend our neighbours and enjoy their company. Neighbours often are closer than family. Our families may be hundreds of miles away, but the neighbour is next door and will be our first responder in time of crisis.
"A good neighbor is a fellow who smiles at you over the back fence, but doesn't climb over it." - Arthur Baer
Margaret Anne Yost nursed for 35 years. Returning back to school I completed classes from the Red River College in the areas of Gerontology, Bereavement, Death and Dying. For twelve years I worked in bereavement support at a funeral home.
At present I am employed as an Interim Parish Worker at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Melville, Sask. I also enjoy my role as homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.
