I am in Michigan visiting Jim's (my husbands) family and attending a conference. Fall colors are stunning
and the weather is perfect. Being across the country makes me realize again how big America is, and how diverse it is. Land use is so different in the rural area we are staying in. There are no fences
between the houses. The houses are much further apart, and tree lines often mark the property lines. It
makes for a stunning landscape and for much better neighbors (as a whole). Being surrounded by nature
puts me at easy and calms my heart and mind. Being able to go for walks just outside the property is refreshing. Seeing animals (birds, squirrels, turkeys, and deer creates peace in my heart. Seeing the falling colorful leaves releases dopamine.
Things here seem to be more fluid, more relaxed and more family oriented. In the past Jim told me that people in Michigan are relationship oriented, that often people would go for a drive after church and just drop in unannounced at someone's home. That it was normal to have visitors every Sunday afternoon, and that you just planned on having coffee and desert ready. That sure was true while we were here, very day we had visitors, family who dropped by and spent hours with us. They did not come
for a few minutes, just to drop in, they stayed for hours.... conversations flowed freely, we listening to 4 years tell us stories of his fishing experience, we heard stories of grandpa, we debated health issues, talk theology, read to the little ones, build Lego submarines, ate several meals together and just enjoyed being together. There was no technology around (other than taking a few pictures), there was no TV
running in the background, there was no time limit. It was a great family gathering, that did not happen because we were there, but something that happens regularly. Would our world be a better place if we all practiced neighborliness more?
Another thing I noticed was how people help each other. Being in this area you need each other, not everyone can climb a tree to trim it, not everyone has a big snow plough to take care of things.... but everyone can help someone. How community should work! So, people use their gifts to help others, and in exchange receive the help of others.
We will leave tomorrow, but the memories of just 'hanging' will stay with me for a long time, and I want
to rethink on how to become more hospitable. We all run so fast, are always so busy, that I think we
have lost that art. Instead, we often see people go to restaurants, eat a meal and all have our phones out
without ever engaging in conversations. Let's try to bring back neighborliness!
PS while we are gone our neighbors are watching our place and making sure everything is safe