Aren’t Southerners right out of the 50’s? I just adore my neighbors. One came by today to see if I was ok (hubby is not here yet) and started talking about when he courted his wife. He also said he wouldn’t come inside the house, out of respect for me and hubby- he didn’t want the neighbors to talk. He’s probably 20 years my senior, so that is really cute.
Another neighbor, also a newcomer to the area, called me a few days ago during a snow storm to tell me that Roy Lee, who lives down the holler a bit, asked his sister Shirley, who lives next to him, to check on me. He heard there was a woman alone in the holler and was worried. So Shirley called this neighbor that called me. Shirley promised to come over to meet me when the weather settles down.
Another group of neighbors, a guy who is raising cattle and his wife and daughter, were going to come over when they heard my heater went out. I had to call them to say they didn’t need to because Ray was already there! She called all the time during the storms to see if I needed anything, and said her son in law could come scrape my driveway if I needed to get out.
I went to the optometrist last week - and was in a bit of a hurry to pick from frames. They would have no part of that! I had to answer how I was doing and have a nice little conversation first. This place is great. I will learn to be less impatient (I hope!) and focus on what’s important. And that of course, is finding out how people around me are doing. I think they have it right.
Like I now have to leave for town 10 minutes earlier than I normally would - if I pass a neighbor on the road, I have to stop to say hello. Anything else is just not acceptable! I can’t wait to bake some bread, after I find my loaf pans, and bring it to them. I was worried I’d have nobody here to cook or bake for!
Your post is so heartwarming........Love your attitude!.....
I think you will find this sense of caring in most Southern states.....but Alabama is dearest, next to my own Tennessee.
Nice autobiography of your experiences with your friendly neighbors! Tennessee is definitely a good neighbor to my north. A vacation to Gatlinburg is in the plans!