Dear Paul B,
I am 70, and do not have my husband any longer. Due to the recent snow, I was unable to get out of the house, and I called the village to have them help me out with the snow. There are two brothers who are about fourteen, two doors away. They wanted $25 to do remove my snow. What is wrong with this picture? I know their parents, and I would think they could have done it for free. I have been a good neighbor, and even walked their dog three times last summer, because they could not get home. I asked for nothing, and of course, I received nothing. I am on limited funds. I am fuming…
Disappointed Del
Dear DD,
I am so glad that you wrote. I guess that neighbors come in all shapes and colors. I too have always been a generous and caring neighbor. When you live on a street with 100 people, you are all ONE BIG FAMILY. I have met some real “doozies” in my day, and some quite wonderful peeps as well. I believe that the numbers of such are now pretty even, unfortunately. I live on St. Marys Parkway, and was awakened to a snow blower on Super Bowl Sunday morn. I was stunned to find a young man who lived down the street. He lives on Raupp, and his name is Kevin. He would NOT take the $20 that I offered him. He just said he enjoys helping neighbors. I did NOT know this man. The very next day, a man named Gary, also a neighbor on Raupp, near Lake Cook Rd. who I had not met, spent 5 minutes cleaning up my driveway from the BG street plows. What a warm fuzzy feeling for me! I am now 58, and I know that shoveling can KILL! These two men did more than just donate their time to others and myself.
Knowing YOU are elderly and alone, ALL of your neighbors should be ashamed of themselves. I would ask others to read this, and take note. Let’s help our neighbors, especially the elderly and ill out when we can. You youngsters can be generous and throw in a “freebie” now and then. It’s a write off, you’ll learn later on….
BTW–Del, I am reminded of my late fathers observation, regarding your mindless neighbors of, “why are there more horses asses than there are horses?” ‘Nuf said….
— Paul B.
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