Buffalo News

Buffalo News, The (NY)

April 13, 2004

NEIGHBORS' KIND DEEDS STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY

Author: MARIA R. CERAULO

Edition: FINAL
Section: EDITORIAL PAGE
Page: B10

Index Terms:
MY VIEW

Estimated printed pages: 2

Article Text:

The world is filled with so much negative news that small kindnesses often go overlooked. Neighbors who know and care about each other may be rare these days, but they do exist. Here are some of the wonderful things that regularly occur on my block.

A few seasons ago, we considered ourselves fortunate when we found a plow service that used snowblowers rather than a plow on our very narrow driveway and narrow Buffalo side street. However, the luck lasted only one year and then the service became unavailable to us. My parents and I have limited shoveling abilities. We didn't know how we would get through the winter.

After heavy snows on Christmas Day 2002 and 2003, we thought we'd be snowed in and unable to get to our family celebration. However, without being asked, our neighbor, Joel, a Unitarian minister, used his snowblower to clean our driveway so we could make it to my sister's house for Christmas dinner.

His wife, Wendy, also clears the snow for us and even puts our New York Times, often left in her driveway, on our porch at 7 a.m. And they don't just take care of our snow; they do the sidewalk for several houses, including a senior who lives alone and is recuperating from a hip replacement.

Our neighbors on the other side are equally helpful. They also clear our driveway and sidewalk with their snowblower even though they have to get to work in the morning. Doug, his wife, Shirley, and daughter, Charlotte, always check after they park their car in front of their house to be sure they have not blocked our driveway. Many other drivers are not so considerate.

When our lawn service company was a no-show last year, my dad took to the grass with his old-fashioned manual mower. Doug saw him and offered to cut the lawn.

Katie and Scott live across the street. One day, the city plow came by and left a particularly deep and heavy mountain of snow. Katie came out and helped with the snow. She was lifting heavy shovelfuls like a linebacker even though she is quite petite.

When 7 feet of snow fell in three days, road travel was extremely limited. My dad wasn't feeling well and needed some groceries from our nearby Wegmans. Scott took my dad to the store in his four-wheel drive SUV.

Our neighbors never ask for anything, but we try to reciprocate their kindness. When Joel and his family are away, my dad waters their flowers and takes out their garbage. For years, I have looked forward to buying Girl Scout cookies from Doug's daughters.

When my mom, a native of Italy, bakes Italian cookies, pastries and cakes, she makes extra for our neighbors. She made a pastry for Joel when his parents were visiting. Doug's family loves her homemade biscotti. During the summer, my mom's homegrown tomatoes are another treat she enjoys sharing. We are so grateful for our wonderful neighbors.

MARIA R. CERAULO lives in Buffalo.
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