Am I A Good Neighbor?

 

 

 SNOWED IN 2025 Submitted by Deana Dothage, 03.02.2025, Warrenton, MO January and February 2025 brought some significant snowfalls. My neighborhood has a mix of young and old and a few in between. Acts of kindness during the snowstorms were numerous as always.  My son drove to my house and spent 90 minutes shoveling the 9" of snow completely off my driveway. 💖 My daughter-in-law slid in a ditch on her way to work. My son drove to her location, drove her truck back on the road, and got her turned around so she could get back on the road to work. 💗 Every time a 91-year-old neighbor began shoveling her driveway, two neighbors took turns getting out to help her. She would not quit, but she did allow them to assist. 😁❄⛄❆ A neighbor with a gas snow blower braved the cold and cleared off a few driveways of our older neighbors.  My brother tackled our driveway every time it snowed and did his best to keep up, despite my health warnings to him.  Submitted by Gregg Sartoriu...

PUZZLED #2 submitted by Deana Dothage, 03.02.2025 Several months ago, a neighbor asked me to help her look for 300 piece puzzles, which have larger pieces. On Amazon, Ebay, and Marketplace they are easy to find. Over the past several months I've been able to deliver several puzzles to my friend/neighbor. Recently, she invited me to work one with her. Puzzling and conversation was a perfect way to spend a winter evening. She has been a model of neighboring for the past 21 years. One of the most appreciated acts of kindness are the fabulous pies she delivers.  Look around your neighborhood. Are there fun things you can do together or small acts of kindness that you can deliver?    Neighboring matters!

Almost 60 years ago, my mom and I went to Forest Laundromat in St. Charles, MO. The owner, Edna Smith, greeted and welcomed us. We were new to the community and new customers.  I loved Edna on site. I returned her greeting, “Hi, I’m Deana and I’m 5 years old. I’m going to be your friend.” We did become friends.  Her husband Henry and her son Mark become lifelong friends of the family. My mom and I were at their funerals and Mark recently was present during my mom’s Celebration of Life.  Until Henry and Edna’s deaths, my childhood photos were on their refrigerator alongside family photos. Mark and my brother Mark were close friends until my brother’s death.  My mom worked part time in the laundromat. We boated with them and enjoyed many river sandbar picnics. As a new teen driver I often visited Edna and Henry for advice. They were mentors and bonus parents. 💗 They lived and worked 8 blocks away from us until we moved a few miles away. This family taught me about nei...