Neighbors,Neighbors !

We are enjoying the pleasure of having neighbors only from the last 3 years after moving to our own house.In the apartment where we lived before,it was a rare moment to see someone,let alone have a conversation.Now,we got double lucky to have a neighborhood filled with kids of all ages.We realize how important it is for kids to have other kids to play with,only after seeing how much Miss D enjoys the company.

The neighbor who lives opposite to ours is a family with a 3 year old son and 16 month old daughter.We have become close friends,and have spent a few evenings at each others house.We chit chat when we meet outside(now that the weather is nice),and look at the kids having fun on their own.Next door,there are 3 kids -a girl and 2 boys.The kids have not got together yet,no one Miss D's age or closer,but am sure it will be fun anyways.Since we never had the opportunity to enjoy the 'friendly neighborhood' before in the apartment,it gives me a very happy and a satisfying feeling to see it happen now.The timing could not have been better,with our little girl enjoying all of it.

In India,while we grew up,it was taken for granted that we would always,round the clock have neighbor kids to play with.In the US,it is a privilege if your kids have friends living close by.Back home in India,our house was one of the 4 houses inside the same compound(common outdoor entrance and exit) and I had 2 close girl friends that I grew up with during my school days and part of my college life.One girl is 2 years older to me and the other, a year younger.We were best of friends and spent every part of the day together,other than when we 'had' to be away.We had tremendous fun and also competed with each other on the day of Deepavali(festival) every year,as to who would wake up first,get ready and burst crackers.Those were the most fun filled,guilt free,carefree days of my life.The saddest part was when both the girls had to move out to another town,far,far away since their dads had jobs that took them to those places.

Getting back to the present,I wish this closeness in the neighborhood continues and we find good friendly neighbors where ever we go,and our little Miss D has her own set of buddies.