YOU NEVER FORGET THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS YOU GREW UP WITH

I don’t know who came up with the saying, “you never forget the neighborhood kids you grew up with,” but it’s 100% true.

We all lived on the same block. We all knew each other. Our parents were all friends. We all trusted each other. If I remember correctly, one or two of them even had a spare key to our house.

Times were different back then. In the 70’s and 80’s (well, mostly the 80’s for me because the house that I grew up in….we moved into in 1978).

It wasn’t a big deal if a ball went into our next door neighbor’s yard. We’d go get it.

Some of my neighbors, we didn’t always have to call before going over to drop something off or pick something up. Is the car home? Are they just pulling into the driveway? Then run over and drop off what you need to drop off. It was never a big deal. If they happened to be super busy, they didn’t get mad. They would still say thanks and that they were busy but that they'd call my parents later (or they’d stop by later).

We all knew each other on my little block. We watched out for each other. I don’t remember much drama back then. But I was pretty young in the 80’s so maybe I was just oblivious, I don’t know.

But now, as an adult who’s nearing 50, when I think back on those days, I realize how lucky I was to have the neighbors that I did.

They were genuinely good people. The neighbors on either side of me. The neighbors across the street and down the block. They were honest people. I don’t think any of them ever did us wrong. They were always there when we needed them. We were always there when they needed us.

I remember when it was pouring rain out, we’d have “porch parties” on our front porch. The adults from the block would come over and sit on the porch and just hang out and have a good time. Sometimes the kids would be allowed to be outside during the porch parties as well, if I remember correctly. But even if we weren’t allowed, I still remember going outside to say hi to everyone.

Those were different times back then.

I miss those days. I miss those people.

I don’t live in that house anymore. My parents sold it in 2008. I do miss that house though. The people who lived on either side moved a long time ago. Some of the people across the street are still living there. Some of the people have died.

Periodically I’ll see some of the people who had been my neighbors. Some of them I’m friends with on Facebook and or Instagram.

Sometimes I can't stand social media because of the drama that comes with it. But on the bright side, it’s how I’m able to keep in contact with people. Especially those who live far away. It feels good to reunite sometimes. Especially with people who you thought highly of and who meant a lot to you when you were growing up.

It’s a shame that lives get so busy that we lose touch with people that we never thought we’d lose touch with.

But it’s also nice that when you go years and years and years without talking to someone and then you see them and it’s like you saw them yesterday. That's how you know that you’ve made a life long impact on each other.

I miss some of the neighborhood friends I grew up with. But from what I see on Facebook, they all seem to be doing well. I'm happy for them.

But anyway….

To the “neighborhood kids” I grew up with. I wouldn’t have asked for a different group of neighbors and friends.

If I had to do it all over again and choose my own neighbors and friends, I’d choose you all again. No questions asked.