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Twin Cities Mom Collective

Finding Community in Our Neighborhood

Finding Community in Our Neighborhood | Twin Cities Moms Blog

I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of community. By community, I mean our actual neighborhood – our buildings, our blocks, those living in close proximity to us. As women and mothers, the community surrounding us is valuable. It’s our village. And if we have it, it’s highly appreciated.

Living in California, I really only knew a few of my neighbors’ names, and rarely stopped to talk to any of them. I was the girl who would wait to get the mail until I saw that my neighbor was back inside his house. It was easier that way. I could always just wave from my car the next time I saw him. I had no desire to invest in the people surrounding me. Sure, I was always friendly and polite, but never thought about letting them into my world. I had friends for that.

Then we moved to Minnesota. Neighborhood community has come a bit more naturally for me here, and I like it. For the first time in my life, I know my neighbors and have actually (gasp) hung out with them. I’ve invited them over, and accepted invitations to their homes. We know each other’s kids, we’ve done playdates and pourovers. We’ve walked to church and restaurants together. We’ve asked for gardening tips, cookie recipes and even the classic cup of sugar. It feels like a neighborhood and it fills a need in me I never really knew was missing.

When we open ourselves to others it feels raw. Vulnerable. When we invite someone in, they see us, the good and ugly. They get a glimpse behind the scenes of our pretty, polished outside and see into the parts of our lives, or homes, that need work. They learn our weaknesses and doubts and see our needs. But they also see the good. Our hearts, hopes and dreams, our prayers, our pleasures and longings. We can know others and let ourselves be known, and accepted.

Let’s challenge ourselves to move beyond small talk and invite neighbors in. Let’s dive deep into real conversation with each other. Let’s move beyond simply learning names and ask a few more questions. Who are they? What makes them tick? How do we fit in each other’s worlds? Let’s invest in our community. Let’s build a support network around us, physically around us.

My daughter and I made valentines to deliver to a couple of our neighbors who also have little girls. I get that she can’t say their names and doesn’t even know why we are doing this, but my goal is to model to her what being a part of a community looks like. We think of others and give to them. And, if and when they reciprocate, we accept. We greet one another and then move into real conversation. We invest because we need each other. Let us find this kind of community in each of our neighborhoods.

Finding Community in Our Neighborhood | Twin Cities Moms Blog

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