WHEN A NEIGHBOR TURNS FAMILY.

Minding business and respecting boundaries are very different from each other.
In as much as I'm close and very friendly with my neighbors, I would appreciate they respect my boundaries and not mind their business.
When we tell people to mind their business, it's more like telling them to ignore you , even when you are in trouble or they see troubles approaching.

For over 15years, I have had an amazing neighbor, although we are seperated by a fence and gate but that have not created a barrier to our communication, support for each other , care for each other and many more
We get involved in each other's businesses, affairs and everything.
We are like family, we have celebrated and cried together .

Just a year ago they lost their dad, and I cried like he was mine, this is a man that corrected me as a child.
His death came like a shock and the way my family stayed with his kids and wife throughout this time was like we are family, even after he was buried.
I can remember, sleeping over, to watch the daughter, because she kept acting suicidal.
Also when my dad was admitted to the hospital, they visited the hospital daily, accommodated my younger siblings because our compound was lonely, and I my mom slept at the hospital.
This situation explains how we stay and supported each other together.
Our support doesn't end in only sorrow or painful situations, but also in joy.
During my sisters wedding, they travelled with us , celebrated with us.

We don't pride ourselves in minding our businesses or staying on our own, all we do is respect each others boundaries, when necessary.
I might not know everything about my neighbor, but I know the basic things, just like they don't know everything about me .
Every family and everyone have informations that should always be within them and not known by neighbors and that's okay, and ought to be respected by both parties.
What's important is that I know my neighbor isn't a serial killer, thief or diabolic.
We know our jobs and what each and everyone of us do for survival and provision.
I can boldly say, I know my neighbor to the best of my knowledge, their job, religion, State of origin and values.

In this prompt we are also asked if we can trust our neighbor with our kids and yes, that's something I have done and will do over again.
April 2024, is a month I will never ever forget, because I and my mom slept at the hospital throughout that particular month and my younger siblings were left in the compound alone, the first day at the hospital when I realized that I wasn't going to make it home, I called my neighbor immediately and she entered the compound, picked them up and allowed them sleep at her house every night until we came back from the hospital, even when I wanted to send money for their breakfast, they said she already fed them, prayed with them and visited the hospital, that was an hour ride from home with them.
When I say, my neighbor is like family to me, I mean it.
I can leave my own kid with my neighbor.

Lastly, I'm the kind of neighbor, anyone would like to have, because I'm very good at respecting boundaries and very peaceful.

Picture is mine.

Thanks for reading ♥️

Vanilla💗