When it rains, it pours. And in our neighborhood, it does not just pour—it floods, overflows, and makes you question your life choices. Should I have moved into the world’s least favorite State? The Swampy Nightmare? Maybe. But here we are. Stuck. Stuck in this muck.

It’s the kind of rain that makes you realize your drainage system is just decorative. That you are more connected to each other than you thought. Suddenly, you’re wondering whether you should invest in a boat or a really strong inflatable.

Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping –Mr. Rodgers

What Makes a Good Neighbor?

Good neighbors, though, are the ones who see your basketball hoop toppled over in the storm. The fall shattering the Plexiglas backboard on your van. Instead of watching from their window, they come over and offer to help take it down. They don’t just shake their heads and think, “Glad it was not mine.” No, they roll up their sleeves. In this case, put a sleeveless shirt on. They grab that hoop like it’s nothing I know that it’s not, I’ve tried before, and help you out. Rain or shine. Fire or flame. That’s a good neighbor.

The Day the Neighborhood Went Boom

Good neighbors don’t stop there. They rally when things really go sideways—like the time a house in the neighborhood literally exploded. (Yes, you read that right—exploded..)

The explosion did not just rattle windows, it rattled lives. It brought the whole house and neighborhood to a standstill. Dealing with disasters is for the professionals, but even good neighbors can learn tools to help. The Red Cross has amazing information on that, it came in handy after one year after nasty Hurricane Ian.

But in those moments, when it’s too late to look up what to do. When things get real? Good neighbors come in droves to help. They find homes for the cats that survived the blaze. They make sure people have a place to stay, and bring you supplies for your brand new fire kitten. Because nothing says, “I’m here for you,” like cat litter, even in the face of literal fire.

In my upcoming book, I tell the tale of Keke the fire kitty. I know. The sales pitch sucks, but I promise it’s gonna be a good read.

Good neighbors are the helpers. They’re life’s gentle hands. A calm in the storm. They are there when things go south. Not like, south Florida. But lending you a whole bunch of fresh catnip from their garden. Lending a hand with your broken fence, or standing with you during the chaos of life.

It’s Not Always About Big Gestures

Grand disasters don’t need grand gestures. Sometimes being a good neighbor isn’t about epic rescues or heroic feats. You don’t need to run to a fire, break dogs out of a house. In hindsight, that was reckless of us. You can read that story in my book.

Sometimes, the biggest gestures are the smallest things:

• Checking in when you notice someone’s gone radio silent for a little too long.
• Waving when they drive by to say hi
• Offering to water their plants while they’re away.
• Returning their escaped chickens, quail, or rogue garbage cans.

Good neighbors are the ones who wave when they pass by, who mow your lawn when your mower breaks down for the fifth time this year.

Navigating the Mess Together

Our neighborhood’s had its fair share of wild moments. I mean, we live in a rural area of course we are wild. From disastrous storms to fires to random home explosions, through it all, the people here have taught me that being a good neighbor means showing up. It means acknowledging that, like it or not, we’re all in this together. Whether that “this” is a natural disaster or the much quieter chaos of everyday life.

Sometimes, it means nothing more than a “hello” and a wave. Other times, it means picking up the pieces—literally and figuratively—when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Neighborly kindness can be found everywhere, like in these Nextdoor blog posts. In our case, neighbors help pick up debris after hurricanes. They clear culverts for drainage. They check on those who lost power. They do what they can.

Because at the end of the day, being a good neighbor is not about perfection. It’s about care, connection, and being the person someone can count on, no matter what happens. Even when it involves a broken basketball hoop or an explosion.

In Life and Neighborhoods, It’s the Little Things

Being a good neighbor is not about grand heroics. It’s about connection, care, and being the person someone can count on. Whether that involves a broken basketball hoop or a literal explosion.

Want more chaotic tales, neighborly kindness, and unhinged real-life stories? My book, TITLE UNREVEALED, dives deeper into these everyday moments that shape us. Spoiler alert: It involves brain surgery, jumping out of planes, and way more cats than you would expect.

What About You?

What’s the wildest thing a neighbor has ever done for you? Or the weirdest? Did they bring back a chicken that wasn’t yours? Tell me in the comments—I need these stories in my life.