neighbors

For tomorrow: Nov 3
I am thankful for the (non-Jewish) neighbors and friends that keep my children sane and aware of the fact that there are other ways of doing things in the world.
The neighbors on our street have been such a blessing for Jonathan who is going through the dramas of bullying at school - both being the victim and by association, attacking others. These neighborhood boys all go to different schools but they all find it fun to play together in the neighborhood.
The fact that they have also adopted Yael (and even the littles) and have taken her to the museum of their own volition has been so great. I feel like so many people offer to do so many kindnesses for that child that it saves her (and my) sanity.

And the neighbors at my mother's house have also been a great thing. The irony of the fact that it is a small world is not lost. E's partner in crime at work just so happened to coincidentally buy the house next door to my parents, so that the big kids have friends to play with when they end up going there after school, too. Sometimes there are no such things as coincidences :)

And in all the destruction that has befallen the hurricane Sandy victims , it is times like this that communities and neighbors pull together. Hopefully it brings out the best in people during a bad situation. Everyone has bad days and the stresses of being without heat and electricity for days on end is obviously straining, but it also connects people because those that have are generally able to reach out to those that don't, and everyone is going through this phase together.
Many opportunities for people to help each other...