WALKING THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Our restored library

[Please welcome Elisabeth Palmer, guest blogger today.] 

I’m a destination walker—I walk somewhere to get something.

New Year’s Day I walked to the Chinese take-out place my mom loves. It was 15 minutes there and 15 minutes back.

Today, I walked to the local library. It’s 10 minutes there, 10 minutes back. Add another 10 minutes to return a book and quickly peruse what’s new, and it’s 30 minutes tops.

What did I get?

I got my deepest needs met in the simplest of ways.

I love being out in nature. Whether it’s the mountains or my Midwestern neighborhood, I love seeing which plants are naturally showcased in each season. They have a life of their own and I enjoy watching their cycles as they mirror my own.

I love feeling like I’m a part of my town. As I walked through my neighborhood to downtown I could see the things that make living here such a joy—the people take pride in their homes and yards, the arts district, and the classic post office and the historic library.

I love simple, healthy food. If I’m not up to cooking, I’m glad I’m within walking distance of some healthy fare and ingredients.

Today, the only thing missing was a sense of community.

As I was walking home from our lovely library—restored by the community after a devastating fire—I was thinking about how nice it would be if the people in my neighborhood had a reason to walk past their neighbors’ houses and visit on their way to and from the grocery store that used to be on every corner.

About that time in my walk a man got out of his truck with coffee cup in hand and said “hello!”

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When I went to pick up our take out on New Year’s Day, there was another couple in the vestibule that mentioned The Christmas Story scene about going out for Chinese. I told them my sister had just called and recited the same episode.

We need that corner grocery store. We need community. We need each other.

Makes me wonder about the little white house at the end of the street that used to be a grocery. Maybe the city will start using these hubs as places for people to get their milk and eggs and butter and potatoes.

P.S.  I did pick up a new novel for my mom—whether she likes it or not is still to be determined. Just like you cannot live without a community, you cannot be without a good book to read.

Guest Blogger:  Lis Palmer