Acts of Kindness/Wonderful Neighbors

God was smiling on me the day He placed me in this neighborhood next to two of the nicest people I've ever met.  How significant they would become in my life, I could not have imagined. In t

God was smiling on me the day He placed me in this neighborhood next to two of the nicest people I've ever met.  How significant they would become in my life, I could not have imagined. In the eight years I've lived next to Betty Murphy & Sheila Kilbane, I've always enjoyed their company. They have always been the ideal neighbors: helpful, friendly, never intrusive, just all-around good people. They get my mail and papers when I am out of town, are always available to take care of my dog, Ginger, at a moments notice.  I always feel secure when I'm away from home that they are keeping an eye on the house.  It's a comforting feeling.

When I was going through my divorce, they were always a source of comfort and support.  Complicating matters during an already trying time, I proceeded to break my foot and had to be on crutches for six weeks!  I lived alone in a house with two sets of stairs, a yard that needed mowed, a dog that needed walked. All of my family live out of the area, and my close friends live a good half hour to 45 minutes away, with jobs and kids they needed to attend to. WHAT was I going to do? I need not have worried. Without my asking, Sheila and Betty stepped in.  Sheila mowed my yard. Every evening when I would get home from work, one of them would come over with my mail and newspapers (my mailbox is at the end of driveway) and sometimes bring supper or goodies from their garden. They'd leave a short while later so I could unwind from work and come back to walk Ginger every evening.  They took my garbage out every week. If something needed fixed, they immediately came over to help me (they are VERY handy with all kinds of mechanical things!!). I would drive to my parents' house every weekend and either Sheila or Betty would come over to help me load my car, and watch for my return on Sunday to help me carry in my stuff and the groceries my parents would get for me while I was home with them.  I can't express enough the sense of relief for both me and my parents knowing that Sheila and Betty were here to help me and Ginger providing support, companionship and and a sense of security.  They wanted nothing in return.  Their neighbor needed help. There was no hesitation in their minds to provide it.

People are always so impressed when they hear how wonderful my neighbors are. They don't have to tell me. We've all heard the horror stories of bad neighbors. I don't see how I could possibly ever repay them for being, well, THEM.   I'll always be grateful beyond what I can express and will do my best to pay it forward.

Diane Farkas

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