Our neighbors have started playing well with one another. It use to be that we might wave at someone from across the street. We might say a quick hello as we walked our dogs past their house. We might comment on the weather, the leaves changing or the Home Owners' Association. We might go so far ask to inquire on their holiday plans.
But lately, we've started spending time together. Two couples meet up many evenings to take a walk. Other couples will gather on a warm Wednesday evening to share a bottle of wine on the back porch. Some of us actually care for cats and dogs while others are out of town. Even our DOGS get together to play! It has become a neighborhood and I really like it.
We met again last night for a progressive dinner. Twenty people made their way to Gaile's home for appetizers. Someone provided shrimp. Another brought meatballs. There were nachos and green onions wrapped in meat and cream cheese. We drank some beer, watch IU get beat by Purdue and then made our way to the main course at MaryAnn's.
Once all the coats were off and the flock had gathered, we filled our plates with roasted pork loin, cheese souffle, Mexican casserole, sweet potato & butternut squash au gratin. The roasted potatoes and gravy were perfect with the dinner rolls and the conversation was as sparkling as the wine.
At 8:00 o'clock sharp (really more about 8:05) the group made their way to the Ledbetter home for desserts and coffee. A flowing chocolate fountain, brownies, ice cream with warm caramel topping and homemade cookies greeted us as we entered the door. We took up seats at the table, on the couch, along the fire place and around the living room floor. We talked about jobs, education, and family. We shared laughter concerning personal antics. We related in the frustration of technical support for Dell computers. Others shared their excitement of meeting Sarah Palin at the recent book signing here in Noblesville. We coo'd over the only baby in the room and received fist bumps from Dino the Doberman.
As the evening wound down, we hugged one another (we really did) and promised to do this again in a few months. We made our way to our homes with fully bellies and warm hearts.
The casual observer would simply point out that we gathered for food and drink. But I think there is more at work here: Every time we gather in this fashion, we learn that the neighbors who are VERY different from us are really just like us. They have jobs they don't love but work hard any way, just like me. They have homes that require effort and time, just like we do. They have children who struggle with their own marriages, their own jobs, their own schooling, just like our family. At the end of the night, we learn that these folks who live so close, have lives that are so similar. And I learn to understand them, to like them, even to love them.
