Love of Neighbor

Today, May 31st, is The Feast of the Visitation; and the "fruit" of this "event" is love of neighbor, which is not always so easy to do. The day commemorates when Mary — even though she had just received her "own news" —  visited Elizabeth with the conviction that she might need help.

Being a good neighbor is not always easy, especially in this day and age when folks are bombarded with obligations and commitments; but I find it sad that in a time when there are so many ways (as well as venues) in which to communicate, a number of folks simply do not do it!

And often being a good neighbor simply involves listening to his/her thoughts, worries, concerns, struggles as well as sharing the good times. These are moments worth taking — and even preserving — as Lou, a gentleman living in New York has done by "installing" a tree-pit in honor of his dear friend who lost a battle with a terminal illness.

A portion of Lou's installation can be seen in the photo-ops posted above, where the images are focused on a plaque which Lou had placed upon the guard surrounding the tree-pit, for it is the message on Lou's plaque that I find apropos for today's feast day, The Feast of the Visitation, where the "fruit" of this "event" is "love of neighbor."

As you can see, part of it reads, "To Friends and Dogs, Thanks for all the good times on the stoop . . . " 

The fact that Lou's inscription includes these words shows the value of taking the time to share and listen to one another, wherever that may be, and in this instance, the neighborly convos took place on a "stoop."

According to WIKI, once upon a time, "the stoop served an important function as a spot for brief, incidental social encounters. Homemakers, children, and other household members would sit on the stoop outside their home to relax, and greet neighbors passing by. Similarly, while on an errand, one would stop and converse with neighbors sitting on their stoops. Within an urban community, stoop conversations helped to disseminate gossip and reaffirm casual relationships."

Indeed "Takis' stoop" "served an important function" in a place where folks are so caught up in what they are doing it's hard to remember they even have a neighbor or that anyone else even exists!

Taki has been gone for a number of years, and it is rare to see anyone sitting on "his" stoop, and if they are it is to be involved — in a loud voice — in a cell phone convo and not a convo with a neighbor!

But even though Taki is no longer here, "his" tree-pit is, and hopefully, it will be a reminder to take a moment to get out of oneself, be a good neighbor, even if it is only to greet them as they by.