Moment With Mel: Neighbors Mean More Than You Think
All of us have lived beside great people who were excellent neighbors and most of have had neighbors that weren’t a good time. That’s how life goes. However sometimes you don’t realize the impact a neighbor has on your life until they’re gone.
I live in an apartment complex that has been in Gastonia a very long time. There are folks that live here that moved in 20 plus years ago. A few weeks ago, one of the neighbors below me passed away. As a result, I’ve been a bit sad. Her death has had more of an impact on me that I thought it would.
Although I know some of the family of my neighbor that passed, I don’t feel comfortable using her name so I’ll call her “Jill.” “Jill” used to sit outside on her patio daily, with her tiny little terrier dog. Anytime I’d take my dogs outside, I’d pass her patio. We’d chat if she was outside. If I’d see her out on the patio on my way to work, I’d stop and chat. “Jill” knew I had breast cancer and she’d ask me often how I was doing. She was a breast cancer survivor herself.
“Jill” and I weren’t close, but we were quite cordial with each other. Sometimes we’d chat about food and if I’d make a big batch of soup, I’d bring her some. She always had a smile ready, and she was such a sweet person.
Her passing was sudden a few weeks ago. Every time I take the dogs out or go to my car, I look towards “Jill’s” patio. All her Christmas lights have been taken down and her family has moved all her furniture. Now there’s just an empty patio, and I feel sadness every time I walk by. I miss chatting with her.
It’s weird. Sometimes you don’t realize how important someone until they’re gone. I miss seeing her smile. She always brightened my day. Just those small interactions with “Jill” made me happy.
Just a reminder to be grateful for those in your life that bring you happiness. Her death has taught me that people leave an impact on your life without you even knowing it. I hope she knows that people miss her presence.
