About the Author

Teresa is a Brooklyn-born, Jersey-raised, Midwest transplant. She’s a writer, editor, theater director, and creative collaborator. Teresa sees all of her work—across genres and disciplines—as an opportunity to help people say what they mean.

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  1. This was an awesome story. I do always make it a point to know at least 2 or 3 neighbors. Living in an apartment makes it a little harder.

  2. We love our neighbors. we have shared marriages, death, graduation, college determination, divorces, and many more events. Through it all, there was love.

  3. We love our neighbors. we have shared marriages, death, graduation, college determination, divorces, and many more events. Through it all, there was love.

    Thank you

  4. I can relate to this story. I was embarrassed to realize that I didn’t know my neighbor directly across the street (she had lived there over 10 years). I was reared to mind my business and not get too involved with neighbors. I went to work and came home to take care of my family. When I was at a party at my child’s school, a woman came up to me and let me know she was my son’s friend’s mom. When she said her daughter’s name, I said “Oh! You live right around the corner from me”. She responded, “I live directly across the street from you!” I wanted to fall through the floor. I realized that I needed to make a connection with my close neighbors. now know all of the neighbors on my street and their children’s names (l live on a short street). When I go for a walk, I stop to say hello when I have time. It has enriched my life without interrupting it in a negative way. When my husband retired, the new family down the street had their young children to make a handmade sign of congratulations. It really warmed our heart! I realized that my mom did know all of our neighbors but she wasn’t in and out of their homes and thus, had a pleasant relationship with all of them. Thanks for the beautiful story that stresses the need to make a connection with neighbors.

  5. This was beautiful, your act of kindness and sharing. Communities are no longer the same as when I grew up in North Carolina during the 60s and 70s or even later in Brooklyn. I’ve been in my home for 35 years and only know my immediate neighbors. I am very aware of children when I saw them walking alone. We have to be neighborly even though our communities have changed.

    • Ty for reading, Jane! I know times have certainly changed, but I’m curious, too, if geography plays a part at all–urban isolation and all that.

  6. I have a beautiful habit of not wanting to let people in but the way my schedule is in case something does happen I can b assured I’ve got 2 great neighbors watching my home my 16 yr old along with my ring security system

  7. I grewup on on my street as a child and later return home to take care of my Mother who had losted contact with her surrounding and lost touch with everyone, She had Alzhemier . But coming home on a regular basis, I got to know those neighbors. The neighbors Mom had when I was growing up was either deceased or with their grown children. When I moved back home, I got to know my Neighbors very well. Crime and drugs became an issue and we had to look out for each other, I later became the Chairperson of my Neighborhood Watch Group. Crime is down 20 percent with the help of the Police Dept. Most of my neighbors I still know, I am no longer the chairperson due to my age. It is enough to mind my own business these days and do “Self-Care” for youself.

    • Ty for reading, Sandra. Sounds like your watch group was a solid success. It’s a balance I’m still working on, when to get involved and when not to.

  8. Thanks for this story. No I don’t know my neighbors. I live in a predominately white neighborhood and have for the last 7 years. It is an unfriendly place. I’ve tried to be out going but it doesn’t work. one neighbor did come over the first day I moved in, but no one since. I am looking to move because I feel so isolated. Again thanks for your story.

    • Ty, Cindy, for reading–and for sharing. I’m sorry you’re going through that; home should be a refuge–and that includes your neighborhood as well as your house.

    • I can totally relate to your situation Cindy. Most of my closest neighbors are white and they don’t talk to me or my husband. Like you, I have tried to reach out but to no avail. I grew up in a neighborhood where we knew most of the people on our street and even three streets over but I guess neighborhood’s are not like that anymore. Or maybe it’s just ours. Oh well, Teresa I’m glad you took the the to reach out to help that little guy get home safe.

  9. This was insightful. I do know my neighbors and even people who live in other areas of the development. We have a walkable community and you are often engaged in conversations. I am introverted as well and I totally understand your position.

  10. Pre-pandemic I knew my neighbors, but not until after I got a cute little dog. Now the whole neighborhood knows the dog and us. We wave and chat and occasionally come to the rescue.

  11. I’m a retired transplant to a new neighborhood. One of the ladies on my culdesac organized a dinner for all the ladies on the block. I enjoyed it and got to meet my neighbors. Sometimes I get my neighbor’s little one when she’s running late to meet the bus and I’m happy to help. I’m glad that she feels comfortable and that she knows me and we will look after her little one

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