A couple weeks ago, I walked to the grocery story - another benefit of my city neighborhood. As I walked, I saw 7 neighborhood kids from 3 families, all students at my school, playing in the street on bikes, skateboards, scooters and just running around. They all yelled when they say me, "I just want to hug you!" But we're supposed to keep distance to help fight the spread of Covid-19. Lawbreakers all, I called, "Nobody's watching - come here!" and hugged them, every one.
This is why my school neighborhood is so important. These connections are why the school is a center of a community. These relationships are what gives a community its soul. When I see the neighborhood kids in stores, playing outside, or when I'm walking my dog, it lightens my spirit. It means so much to them, and to me, to share the excitement of connecting outside the school building. Folks often no longer live in the neighborhood where they work, and that contributes to a loss of community, and can make society seem dismal. I am lucky to live in this neighborhood, and to teach in my neighborhood school, so I can maintain those connections.
What gives you hope about your neighborhood, your community?