While I was outside with Hudson yesterday, one of my neighbors was out with her dog, Ripley. Hudson and Ripley like to “talk” and play without regard for the fence between them. As I turned to leave them to their games, my neighbor Barbara said, “Merry Christmas,” and handed me a gift bag.

Inside were a few thoughtful things. Frangos. Fannie Mae. A treat for Hudson. Simple, kind, not over-the-top. Tucked in with it was a handwritten note that stopped me in my tracks.

“To Ron & Hudson. Best neighbors ever. Merry X-Mas.”

That was it. No long explanation. No grand gesture. Just a reminder that someone nearby sees us. Knows us. Thought of us.

And I felt it in my chest.

We talk a lot about connection like it has to be big or life-altering to count. Deep conversations. Long histories. Major milestones. But sometimes connection looks like this. A knock on the door. A note written in pen. A moment of “you matter” without fanfare.

Being a good neighbor isn’t about perfection or constant availability. It’s about presence. It’s about noticing. It’s about choosing kindness when you could just keep moving.

I didn’t always understand how much that mattered to me. Especially after loss, when the world can feel smaller and quieter in ways you didn’t ask for. Connection doesn’t always come roaring back. Sometimes it tiptoes in.

And when it does, it reminds me that community doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful. That belonging can live right outside your front door. That fulfillment isn’t only found in big dreams or future plans, but in the ordinary goodness of shared space and mutual care.

This gift didn’t just make my day. It grounded me. It reminded me why I try to show up the way I do. Why being kind, open, and human still feels like the most important work I can do.

I’m grateful for neighbors who turn proximity into connection. (I’ve been lucky in this regard for a long time.) And I’m reminded that sometimes, the smallest gestures carry the most weight.

If this resonates with you, I write more like this in my newsletter. Honest reflections on connection, grief, reinvention, and the quiet moments that shape us.

You can join me there. I’d love to have you.

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#Gratitude #CommunityMatters #BeingHuman #ConnectionOverEverything #EverydayKindness #LifeNotes #TheWritingLife #Neighbors #ChooseConnection