It is that time of year again for hurricane season. The season starts June 1 to November 31. The last major hurricane in south east Florida where I live was Wilma in 2005, a category 1-2 when it made landfall, which caused quite a disturbance in our lives but no major destruction in our area.

Despite the loss of power for days or weeks for some (thankfully it was in the cooler month of October), restriction on water usage, and lack or poor telephone service, something quite magical and wonderful happened. We all stepped out of our houses and reconnected (for some connect for the first time) with our neighbors by taking walks, chatting on the street and helping one another. Neighbors put out lawn chairs in their front yard and sat out under the starry night sharing laughs and worries. Those who had generators satisfied caffeine addictions by making coffee, shared freezer space. In my street, the neighbors even coordinated in taking “gas trips” to cities hundreds of miles north of us who had power already restored to refill gas containers. It was a beautiful thing.

But also a sad thing also happened. When power, water and phone services were restored – everyone retreated back to their dwelling and shut the doors. We returned to our daily lives absent of the people closest to us in proximity. The streets became deserted and we became “night dwellers” once again.

It has been about 5 years since Wilma and 5 years since I’ve seen some of my neighbors.

Do we really need another hurricane this year that will force us to reconnect with our neighbors?

We can choose to be good neighbors and stay connected through out the year. This would make an even stronger bond during times of great need, like a major disaster.

Neighborliness makes life more fun, easier, more enjoyable and makes a safer community when you get to know your neighbors. Be the change you would like to see in your neighborhood. Here are some ways to stay connected:

Take a walk around the neighborhood – it’s not only a great way to casually touch base with neighbors but walks are good for the body, mind and soul. Do this when most people are home (i.e. evenings and weekends during non-diner hours).

• Invite neighbors over for coffee, tea or what ever you’d like to share.
• Organize summer block parties. Rotate among streets or have a common one but held on different streets.
• Create groups to tackle common problems like speeding on streets which many young children reside.
• Organize Really Realy Free Market or swap parties to pass unwanted stuff along to someone who could make good use of them and get stuff that you want or need and spend nothing. Select a charity to donate the unclaimed items - a great way to get the stuff out of closets or storage and make donations that would not have been made otherwise. I am currently planning one for my neighborhood.  Stay tune to my future posts on swap parties.

There are countless of other things that can be done. What are some of the ways your neighborhood stays connected through out the year?