Neighborliness in the 21st Century

My in-laws have lived in the same house for 42 years out here in North Hollywood, and have seen others come and go around them. They are such caring people that folks watch out for them. Yesterday the next door neighbor rang the bell to let us know that the headlights had been left on.

Later on, when I wanted to check e-mail, one wireless point showed up....security-enabled, of course. Based on the cars parked along the street, and what the folks had told me, I guessed that the same neighbor might be the one with wireless. So I went next door and pressed the buzzer on his cinderblock and wrought iron fence.

The gentleman, dressed in his native Thai garb, came down the driveway to the gate.. He listened when I explained that my mother in law was in the hospital, I might be here a few days, and noticed that wireless in the neighborhood... perhaps, please, that would be so kind and generous, etc.... He went back inside, returned with a slip of paper, and waved off the thanks I offered. (I promised that I wouldn't steal anything- that I didn't know how. He smiled.)

I still do the back and forth with my next door neighbor with butter, salt, and such. (I have the best neighbors in the whole world. If anyone is looking for a home, there are a couple for sale- one on the other side of us, the other across the street- we look out for each other in Riverside, too :) ).