In the past two years, I’ve had many blessings, but the ones I want to write about are the most recent.
A good friend took me with her to a Senior Expo at the Newton Activity Center I think two years ago. She had me sign up at a booth for H.O.P.E. Home Repair to get some much needed work done on the house. I now have my house painted and rotting boards replaced, new windows.
Someone donated a new sliding glass patio door. I hired a local company to do my roof, and H.O.P.E. also helped me fill out paperwork to apply for a new furnace and air conditioner through Eckan, which was installed last week.
Last weekend, a neighbor came over and helped me put up my Christmas tree and get ready for the holidays. The reason behind me writing about my blessings, is that I hope that it will prompt people to go next door to their neighbor (whether they know them or not) and see what they need done.
A neighbor came over and said to me, “This winter, I'll be shoveling for you.” To someone who can do this themselves this may not sound that extraordinary, but to a woman who can’t, it is.
My neighbors look forward to the goodies I bake and share with them because that is something I can do to give back. So I put out this challenge to all in Newton — whether you know your neighbor or not, do something for them.
Go help them put up their storm windows, clean up their yard, bake something for them or if you don't know them, go introduce yourself. It doesn’t have to cost you anything.
Do it whether your neighbor is disabled or not. Do it for yourself to get that feeling of joy you get by doing something for someone else. Just do it!
— Deb Thompson,
Newton
