Last night I delivered the keys to Gina and Scott for their new home in Briggs Ranch, Folsom. They were moving from the Bay Area, away from their families, with 3 under-5 daughters in tow. It was their first home.
Pulling into the cul-de-sac, I spot a man pounding a sign into the corner yard. "Happy 50th Dave... your neighbors". Hmmm. Must be having a party.
Scott and Gina arrived just before dark, after an exhausting day of packing, and a 3 hour drive with 100 lb Duke slobbering in the front of the giant U-Haul. Mom and Dad, brother and sis-in-law were their to help, all prepared to camp our on the floor in sleeping bags after unloading their appearing-larger-by-the-moment U-haul.
The doorbell rings. In come 2 men with a thirteen year old girl. "Hi, we're your new neighbors.... and this is the local babysitter". In their hands is a cooler of beer.
"We have a few hours before Dave's party.... can we help you unolad?"
I nearly melted into tears at the sight. Gina and Scott had been torn about uprooting their family, yet knew it would work out and that they could rebuild a good life in their new neighborhood. I don't think they thought it would happen so fast. These guys stepped up and did such a wonderfully generous, neighborly act. Wow.
I was impressed.
As I left, I hear this... "Come on over to Dave's for a break and have a beer. You can meet your new neighbors."
And that, my friends, is how to build community, and be a good neighbor.
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