Neighbour

 Love Thy Neighbor as you Love Yourself

Over the last two decades I had missed the pleasure of having a neighbor. 

I was living with fond memories of childhood when we had a small house but generous, caring and kind neighbors. My mother would leave us three children very comfortably with the neighbors watching us. She would go for shopping, functions, doctor visits and she had nothing to worry about.

Every day we exchanged food and every evening we would chat together as the distance between the two houses or the next door house was hardly 5 feet. 

I only have good and happy memories as I have eaten maximum Cadbury chocolates during this period. Our neighbor on the left were just a father and son and both went to work at different timing. This was in my favor as both bought me a chocolate. The neighbors opposite were like an extended family. We would play endless games of carom board together and had many amazing kulfi evenings. 

We went for movies together, we prayed together and the elder son taught me to speak English with confidence. I am so indebted to him.

We shifted to a bigger house when I was 12 and we had new neighbors now. A South Indian family opposite to us. A Maharashtrian family next to us to the left and a north Indian to the right. 

Not only there were variety of food now, but also variety of language, festivals and culture. It was like a dream come true. The others in the lane were also very friendly and wonderful people. My husband always makes fun of me as I would call everyone  I met, as  "My Neighbor", even if they were from 20 houses away or in the next sector. 

When I was 23 I got married and then there were neighbors in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Once again great memories of cultural exchange and one neighbor from Ahmedabad is still in touch.

27 years ago I shifted back to Vashi. There were neighbors but the closeness and warmth of childhood was missing. These were not the neighbors I would go to immediately if there was a crisis. There were hello's and greetings, but not the closeness like an extended family. 

Recently I shifted to a small gated society and within a month found the warmth and care from the neighbor. The most elderly lady of the family came to greet us when we were settling down. She stood for 45 minutes and chatted and told me I must get back and not stand for so long. I was in awe of her stamina, enthusiasm and zeal. I am in awe of how she wakes up early,washes her own garments, goes for a walk, easily digs the garden when her daughters come, grinds masalas even before the cook arrives and at times even makes breakfast.

After a fortnight I met Mrs. Kadam. We first spoke on the phone and it was like we were always friends.  Soon she organized a small get together as due to the pandemic we were being careful. I not only met her but also the other wonderful ladies of the society. 

Every one was so calm, peaceful, loving and friendly.

I also met Colonel Kadam then and found him to be humorous and well read gentleman. 

I felt very glad that I had got the experience of having good Neighbors again. 

Soon they started taking so much care of me that I was overwhelmed. We started visiting each other's place and sharing more than food. We were sharing warmth and love.

They soon became like family and whenever Mrs. Kadam goes to visit her daughter, we also chat for long on phone. We like to remain in touch and catch up on what is happening at both ends.

I feel a person is like our family when we want to share all the good things with them. Me and Rajesh are always thinking about them when we see something nice or we buy food which we feel they may also like. 

I found Mrs. Kadam to be equally generous, kind and strong person. We shared our love for plants and soon we were also spending lovely mornings in their warm and most beautiful garden and porch.

Their home is tastefully decorated and speaks volumes of their humbleness and rich experiences. It is like a house which is always welcoming. People feel welcomed all the time and everyone respects them. This respect has been earned in a short span of time with their dedication and devotion to keep the society clean and safe. Their garden has the most beautiful variety of flora and fauna and they have skillfully created a beautiful bougainvillea shade. The doors get locked only at night and otherwise also ours is a very secured society, thanks to their vigilance and good work with the others in the society. Their generosity and kindness is extended to one and all.

One can immediately notice how proud the Kadam's are about the achievements of their two lovely daughters and their son in laws. It is not surprising as the daughters have had such balanced parents who have taught them immense values and have raised them to be capable  and able to face challenges and also live life to the brim. 

I always wanted to make idlis at home and especially as my mother eats that with joy. I learnt from Mrs. Kadam how to make soft idlis. She is ever ready to teach, to share and to lend a helping hand. Infact she is a person who will go an extra mile to help one and all. It is amazing to hear the colonel say with such confidence, "that you need anything ask Jaya".

Colonel Kadam is a person who has had many rich experiences and it is always a pleasure to hear him share from his various postings and his vast experience. He also keeps creating wonderful creative sculptures out of driftwood and recently we were presented with one. I am a person who believes when you love someone, you create gifts for them and not buy them. We were overwhelmed with their gestures and feel very fortunate.  Mrs. Kadam's love keeps pouring in the form of care and kindness and Colonel Kadam's company is something we just cherish. 

Recently we celebrated the 90th birthday of Colonel Kadam's mother and because of their kind and wonderful nature, an impromptu party just happened and the neighborhood just kept flowing in. 

Each day I give gratitude to the universe for this blessing in my life. I know that in my time of crisis, which I pray would not arise, I would be calling them first.

May you all be blessed with wonderful neighbors 

With magical love

Salma