Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I thought of Mr. Rogers this morning when I waved across the cul-de-sac at my neighbor of five years now. I don't know her name. I think I might have at one point, but I can't say that I have any inkling anymore what letter it even starts with. First or last. That got me thinking, do I actually know the names of any of my neighbors? I know the first names of the couple across the driveway. Most days. I can pick out of a line up the neighbors directly next door and at the end of the private drive. And then I know the names of two other couples a block over. First names, that is. Not last. And somehow, I don't think that's really what Mr. Rogers intended when he asked us to be his neighbor.

Why, I wonder, is my neighborhood so much more of a strangerhood than anything? I imagine some of the blame rests squarely on my shoulders - I spend most of my day at work and the majority of the rest of it indoors. Weekends are filled with chores, errands or fun actiivites that typically are not a "neighbor-involving" situation. But then...I've been outdoors some and everyone else is as absorbed by their own lives as I am with mine. Is it just another sign of the times in which we live? Or is it indicative of the "fast pace" of this area? A combination of the two? Are there areas where people still know their neighbors and can say to one another, "I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you, I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood, with you" ?

And now, after living on the block for five years, can you change your spots and go from being on waving terms to speaking terms, or has your fate been sealed as the street recluse?

All thoughts to ponder...

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day. Since we're together, we might as well say, would you be mine, could you be mine, won't you be my neighbor?