neighbors and sharing

The Depression- just watched a piece on NY times video about a 92 year old man who was talking about the first depression and how everyone helped everyone else/ black and white...and it made me realize that in our neighborhood, that has always gone on.

I don't own a lawn mower- I borrow the one from my neighbor- always have- since we reduced our grass down to a small area- the front is all flowers and myrtle- no grass at all: the side is garden and so in the back- where we haven't put raised beds or trees or a small pond, I have some pitiful grass.

So, when our mower died I asked if I put gas in his, could I use it, and he said yes! this was years ago.. He borrows tools from my husband- who has almost every tool imaginable, and advice is given freely over the fence about home repair, recipes, etc. They have lots of dogs so when we got one, then two, they give helpful advise and stuff when I have questions ...

Our neighbors, are more then people who live next door, or down the block, they are allies, at the least and friends more than likely. I would feel comfortable going to anyone on our block and asking for help, or offering help.

I know that in times of trouble people will reach out and help in any way they can- not just in our neighborhood, but everywhere- and that is how we will all pull through. Because the resources to "get by" are all around us- we just need to borrow, exchange, reach out to each other.