When I was young, my neighborhood was a sacred place. Times were simple in the 1970s and I have, at least, a million wonderful memories! For many of us, this was the time when we were taught life lessons like being kind, how to be a good friend, and playing fair. We rode bikes, played games in the yard, told secrets, and caught fireflies together in the summer while the adults socialized, drank coffee, and watched out for each other’s kids. There were two streets that made up our neighborhood and most families knew each other by name.

On one side of us lived a sweet, old couple, who I think about often. I can picture them clearly in my mind. Mrs. Diggles was a proper lady who wore a dress every day. Most weeks she walked to the church at the end of our street with her purse cinched at her elbow. Mr. Diggles, a squinty, kind-eyed man had a soft voice and a love for playing catch with their dog, Whiskers, using an old raggedy tennis ball. They shared a lot with our family just through proximity, including many home projects, watching us grow, and eventually starting our own families. Our lives somehow entwined together. My parents respected and loved them as neighbors for over 25 years.

We spent our summers as kids picking purple and white wildflowers in our backyards and chopping up Mr. Diggle’s old bricks just for fun. When their grandsons came to town once a year, we became fast friends. We played together from sun up to dusk, dirty from head to toe, and filled with mosquito bites! 

The Diggles made homemade caramel apples to hand out to kids on Halloween. They allowed us and our friends’ to sled ride down the hill between our houses and gave us cookies when we went Christmas caroling at their house. They always welcomed us into their yard. Even during all five of me and my siblings’ rebellious teenage years, they turned a blind eye to some of our innocent mischiefs. 

Some neighborhoods today may not feel the same as years ago because we live in a different time. Those who remember having neighbors like mine can understand how meaningful those relationships and moments were. Mr. and Mrs. Diggles passed away many years ago but little did they know they taught me about the kindness of being a good neighbor and the simple memories we made with them stay with me. Ironically, they are buried not too far from mom and dad which goes to show you, great neighbors really never move too far away.