Mrs. Kravitz
I’ve heard that some neighbors are calling me a “Gladys Kravitz.” For you youngsters not familiar with the TV show Bewitched, Mrs. Kravitz was the nosy neighbor of Samantha and Darren Stephens who was always alerting her disinterested husband, Abner, to the strange goings-on in the Stephens household. Gladys is always right, of course, but that does not make the comparison … um, flattering.
I love my neighbors and would do anything for them. It doesn’t matter who they are, what they look like, how much money they make, or anything. It doesn’t even matter if they don’t see eye-to-eye with me. If you’re my neighbor, you’re my people. It’s as simple as that.
Yes, I’m a boy scout at heart and I suppose that rubs some people the wrong way. I’d rather be who I am rather than not be doing everything I can to build up my community. In truth, there is nothing I’d rather be doing than engaging the community. I’m truly having a blast with being as involved as I am and still I look for ways to do more (sometimes to Kelly’s exasperation – I couldn’t do what I do without her loving support).
Am I Gladys Kravitz? I prefer to see myself as my late grandmother’s long-time neighbor, Mr. Tucker: a quiet but friendly old gentleman who would smoke his pipe as he frequently strolled the sidewalk in front of my grandmother’s home. Like Mr. Tucker, I hope to be strolling the streets of my neighborhood well into my old age.
I believe neighborhoods need neighbors who are willing to keep an eye on things. And to offer a friendly hello, too.