I can tell that you have really grappled with this question of who is our neighbor, who deserves our love and care, as have all of us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. And I love the quotes and the poem!
Thank you. For me, the poem sums it all up. I had been struggling with this post, but when my minister read that poem this morning, I knew I had just the right words to pull the whole thing together. So grateful.
And, yes, the whole question really is a struggle -- which is why it took me so long to get this one written!
So beautifully written, Sylvia. Neighborism is alive and well in our church and in my neighborhood. I am so grateful!
Thanks for your wise words. I loved Bad Bunny’s quote being included, your updated version of the Good Samaritan story, and the poem Kharma shared. And I agree that it is not always easy to come from a place of love. 💕
Yes, it is a challenge to be sure. I struggle with it . . . and I struggled to write this post! But you and I are lucky to have the communities we live in, including the church community we share!
From Heather Cox Richardson’s 2/17/2026 column, in the section where she discusses James Talarico, “The true way to practice Christianity is simple but not easy, he says: it is to love your neighbor.” “Simple but not easy” sums it up perfectly.
We watched the Stephen Colbert interview with James Talarico on YouTube. Talarico speaks plainly, intelligently, and movingly. I was impressed. And I loved the way he talked about not only Christianity but also how white nationalism is not Christian in any sense of the word. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching.
Your words powerfully remind me that I am one of those grandmothers, not Jane Fonda, but just me. As each person wrapped to survive the Minneapolis cold repeated marching, serving hot chocolate, dozens of small, neighborly acts to assure love overcomes hate. Thank you, Sylvia.
The people in Mnpls are leading the way for sure. And, yes, you and I and everyone can offer what we have to offer, too. We can help love to overcome hate.
Then, after a long time plan, Sweet Baboo and I finally put together a simple lunch for a couple we know, put it in the car, and plan to deliver it today.
But we were weary after our Sunday responsibilities were finally through, and in the moment paused … longing to just collapse.
When it hit me: One of the couple’s actual neighbors was just coming by our car!
So we asked her if she might bring the pieces of the easy lunch to their house.
She lit up with recognizable delight. “Sure! They’re just two doors down from ours. I’d love to.”
And she stepped lightly .. perhaps with more joy, arms now full, on her way.
And we drove home and collapsed with equal pleasure.
Sometimes being neighborly can include family and even branch out to asking for help. Sometimes it’s like the haiku where
Funny, I KNOW that couple. They are home sick. I heard from a very reliable source that they are incredibly grateful for the gift of food -- even something a little spicy to help cut through the congestion they are suffering. PERFECT! Did I already say they are grateful? I am pretty sure they will have that food today for either lunch of supper.
So ironic: This topic from you in the middle of February.
Valentine’s Day is a time to pause and let others know how much we appreciate them. So I picked a few ways to do this. (Trying to avoid the obvious chocolate and flowers, especially sugar.)
So chose:
1st) mailing individual cards to each member of Joe’s family because it’s fun to get personal mail. And they’re in a new house where I bet the mail never touched the children nor their parents with praise nor tender thoughts.
Some actual gifts for my sweet baboo, who was being so thoughtful (you’d think he had done something wrong to make up for).
A long texting exchange with our niece-in-law, who was struggling with parenting a high school senior.
I can tell that you have really grappled with this question of who is our neighbor, who deserves our love and care, as have all of us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. And I love the quotes and the poem!
Thank you. For me, the poem sums it all up. I had been struggling with this post, but when my minister read that poem this morning, I knew I had just the right words to pull the whole thing together. So grateful.
And, yes, the whole question really is a struggle -- which is why it took me so long to get this one written!
So beautifully written, Sylvia. Neighborism is alive and well in our church and in my neighborhood. I am so grateful!
Thanks for your wise words. I loved Bad Bunny’s quote being included, your updated version of the Good Samaritan story, and the poem Kharma shared. And I agree that it is not always easy to come from a place of love. 💕
Yes, it is a challenge to be sure. I struggle with it . . . and I struggled to write this post! But you and I are lucky to have the communities we live in, including the church community we share!
From Heather Cox Richardson’s 2/17/2026 column, in the section where she discusses James Talarico, “The true way to practice Christianity is simple but not easy, he says: it is to love your neighbor.” “Simple but not easy” sums it up perfectly.
We watched the Stephen Colbert interview with James Talarico on YouTube. Talarico speaks plainly, intelligently, and movingly. I was impressed. And I loved the way he talked about not only Christianity but also how white nationalism is not Christian in any sense of the word. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching.
Yes, it is definitely worth watching. I liked him too.
I think HCR might have interviewed him at some point. There may be a recording on her YouTube channel.
This is the best one ever, Sylvia. I've forwarded it to many friends. I want the whole world to read it. Thank you so much.
Your words powerfully remind me that I am one of those grandmothers, not Jane Fonda, but just me. As each person wrapped to survive the Minneapolis cold repeated marching, serving hot chocolate, dozens of small, neighborly acts to assure love overcomes hate. Thank you, Sylvia.
The people in Mnpls are leading the way for sure. And, yes, you and I and everyone can offer what we have to offer, too. We can help love to overcome hate.
Thank you, Mary. This was one of the hardest ones to write so far.
Then, after a long time plan, Sweet Baboo and I finally put together a simple lunch for a couple we know, put it in the car, and plan to deliver it today.
But we were weary after our Sunday responsibilities were finally through, and in the moment paused … longing to just collapse.
When it hit me: One of the couple’s actual neighbors was just coming by our car!
So we asked her if she might bring the pieces of the easy lunch to their house.
She lit up with recognizable delight. “Sure! They’re just two doors down from ours. I’d love to.”
And she stepped lightly .. perhaps with more joy, arms now full, on her way.
And we drove home and collapsed with equal pleasure.
Sometimes being neighborly can include family and even branch out to asking for help. Sometimes it’s like the haiku where
After harsh winter
Two walk toward each other
Carrying bouquets.
Ironic, huh?
Funny, I KNOW that couple. They are home sick. I heard from a very reliable source that they are incredibly grateful for the gift of food -- even something a little spicy to help cut through the congestion they are suffering. PERFECT! Did I already say they are grateful? I am pretty sure they will have that food today for either lunch of supper.
So ironic: This topic from you in the middle of February.
Valentine’s Day is a time to pause and let others know how much we appreciate them. So I picked a few ways to do this. (Trying to avoid the obvious chocolate and flowers, especially sugar.)
So chose:
1st) mailing individual cards to each member of Joe’s family because it’s fun to get personal mail. And they’re in a new house where I bet the mail never touched the children nor their parents with praise nor tender thoughts.
Some actual gifts for my sweet baboo, who was being so thoughtful (you’d think he had done something wrong to make up for).
A long texting exchange with our niece-in-law, who was struggling with parenting a high school senior.
But they are all family…
Perfect ways to honor Valentines Day! I always reject the idea that a celebration of love has to be centered on romantic love. You totally rock!
Thank you, neighbor...
Over at our house, we feel we have the very best neighbors!
You do.
But so do we.
We are all so lucky!