We don't have an issue with clearing a sidewalk of snow. Many here do. Especially if it concerns a neighbor's. In Worcester it’s interesting to note that the folks who have snowblowers don't automatically clear a neighbor's sidewalk; taking it right to the property line.
Although we don't have one, we don't mind shoveling. We'll shovel grumpy Mr. Hatfield's, even nasty Mrs. McCoy's. In fact we’ll do it whether they want it or not. That’s the way we were raised. Let me qualify a concept. I don't freely use the word Neighbor as describing the people who live around us since it connotes friendliness, helpfulness etc. To a large degree, that's missing here.
Where we live, there are unseen but palpable battle lines. Lines that were drawn long before we arrived. Several years ago, as we setup house, we rarely saw our neighbors. Except as they sized us up from behind their curtains. If we approached them, they scurried into their houses or vehicles. A wave was greeted with a blank stare. Eventually their frosty demeanor melted. If we came into a conversation, it was not about the weather or The Sawx, but rather about them. In hindsight it was if we were being interrogated; recruited into their faction. Or so they thought.
Where we lived previously, if you had a snowblower you just ran it until either the neighborhood was snow free or the gas ran out. The adults socialized while working. The kids helped out and played at the same time. Someone always brought out a Thermos of coffee and the proverbial nip. Back then the neighborhood air was clear and fresh - free of animosity. Blizzards were greeted with open arms – a chance to get out and socialize and help one another. It bonded folks.
Worcester, MA is a completely different story. Here we've noticed that folks who've lived next door to each other for years aren't neighbors, but enemies. Grudges are carried; worn like medals. In fact, in our little nook its generational. The animosity is so deep in some families - father to son, mother to daughter - that even they don't know the why or wherefore. It’s just always been that way.
We realized we were in the middle of a 21st century version of the Hatfields and the McCoys, but with more factions. We have no allegiance to any faction, rather to a concept – neighborliness. A mistake perhaps? In Worcester most definitely - here you have to take sides. So if we were caught publicly associating with the Hatfields, the McCoys shunned us by the next encounter and vice versus.
This morning I got up well before the crack of down. Cleared the McCoys’ sidewalk and the Hatfields’. Then headed off to work.
The moral of story? Well, you figure it out.
