A few months ago, Matt took me to a house in Tigard. It was an old couple from Iran. He went on a call there once and really wanted me to meet them. Someone broke into their house and he was so touched and impressed by their hospitality and genuine spirit that he wanted me to experience it first hand as he knows I am a sucker for old folks ;).
We went there and despite them not speaking a lick of English, we still had a nice visit. It was interesting to experience another culture. We were greeted at the door with huge smiles and welcomed in. The wife immediately brought us cookies, fruit and offered us tea. On their coffee table, they had "guest ready" serving dishes and treats.
She showed us a beautiful hand-carved table that her daughter (who is a doctor) brought back from Iran.
We had to leave and I felt bad (as their expressions showed it) that we could not stay longer. They made sure we left with some fresh fruit :). I often wonder about them and if they ever get guests. I also pondered how different our world is today.
Neighbors typically live by each other for years, rarely introducing themselves or speaking. No one just "stops by" (for the most part) to visit and enjoy a snack over some good conversation. In today's world, if someone is hospitable, people question their intentions, think them creepy or strange. It used to be that if you didn't bring a treat by and introduce yourselves, you were considered rude.
Growing up, I knew everyone on my block. Do you know everyone on your block?
It makes me wonder why things have changed, what elderly couple is lonely in their house just waiting for "someone" to stop by.
“True hospitality is marked by an open response to the dignity of each and every person. Henri Nouwen has described it as receiving the stranger on his own terms, and asserts that it can be offered only by those who 'have found the center of their lives in their own hearts'.”
― Kathleen Norris, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography
Food for thought. -S
I totally agree! I remember knowing most of our neighbors as kids. My brother would even go next door almost daily to get cookies. We always visited if we were outside at the same time or would just help with yard work. We were known throughout blocks of our neighborhood and my mom would just step out the door and whistle for us to come home.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad how times have changed and how uncomfortable people are with eachother. I am not innocent in this. I don't have the confidence to just drop by to hang out, yet I wish people would do more of that with me.