Be A Good Neighbor

10/14/2025 (Rick):

When we purchased our home in the middle of the pandemic, one of the things we considered was simple: Is this a good place to raise a family? For us, that meant living among “good neighbors.” Of course, we could only assume that by the look of the street. But regardless of who lived around us, we decided early on that we ourselves would try to be good neighbors.

About a year and a half ago, on a Friday evening, we were doing last-minute packing before a family trip to Mexico City when I kept hearing loud banging outside. It sounded like someone dropping trash bins on the curb — except it was 9 p.m., not a good time to be setting out the trash bins. Earlier that day I noticed our neighbors’ dog, Hoppa, being walked by someone outside their family, so I assumed they were out of town.

Living on the corner, I’m naturally the unofficial “Neighborhood Watch.” I looked out the window — the neighbors bins were in place. So, who was making all that noise? After hearing a few more slams, I checked from another window and saw our elderly neighbor, Doña Beatriz, struggling to drag her bin up the curb and into the driveway. I told my wife I was heading out to help.

When I got across the street, I asked “What are you doing out here so late bringing in the bins?!” She said her son was out of town. I told her next time to call me so I could help. As I lifted the bins for her, I noticed she was unsteady and holding onto the picket fence to walk up the driveway. I thought, I should put these down and walk her up. Before I could make the move, she let go of the fence to gesture to me — and fell straight back, hitting her head on the concrete.

I rushed over, held her, and began to pray as I called 9-1-1. Her eyes rolled back and she mumbled incoherently. Within minutes, the ambulance arrived. By the time she was on the stretcher she was almost fully responsive. I got her daughter’s phone number to notify her and wait for updates.

The next morning, while we were at the airport, I texted her daughter. She replied that her mother was home. The CT-scan and X-rays were all clear. A miracle.

When we returned from Mexico City, we visited her, prayed with her, and reminded her — if she ever needed help, just call.

Over the next year and a half, our relationship grew, not only with her but with her adult children as well. In a previous blog I mentioned that men from our Bible study helped with rock and bark in our yard. A few days later, I was volunteering in the prison when I received a text from Manny, one of Doña Beatriz’ sons. He said he wanted to help me finish the project in gratitude for how we had cared for his mother. I was overwhelmed.

The next morning, I was unexpectedly called off work due to low census at the hospital. About an hour later, as we were heading to the park with our daughter, Manny showed up and asked if I had time to work on the front yard. Perfect timing. With Manny and one of his employees, we were able to get the project to nearly 90% completion.

From helping Doña Beatriz to receiving help from her son, being a good neighbor has paid off in ways we never anticipated. It is a blessing to give without expecting anything in return — and yet God is faithful to bless us in moments of need. Sometimes all it takes is a small act of being a good neighbor.