Sometimes houses are close to each other but people miles apart. Sometimes houses are miles apart but the people much closer.

Rosie came up to me at the end of the talk to let me know that she was from my home town. We ended up talking about Annie. Annie is a cousin of my late mother and lives near Rosie. She is a lovely woman. Old stock. Rosie and I were chatting about the wonderful qualities she has as a person. She is so compassionate. She is so caring and she wears it on the outside. It seems she maintains the neighbourly qualities of yesteryear. She knows Rosies children and remembers their birthdays etc. She is there in time of need and is a well-wisher in times of success. This neighbourliness is a wonderful bonus but not always evident in communities. Sometimes houses are close to each other but the people miles apart. Sometimes house are miles apart but the people closer. As a child I use to look forward to the visitors calling to our home. I had no problem with the television being switched off as stories began to be told. I think people socialised more then. There were more callers. People checking in. People supporting people. There was more home-baking, more cups of tea, more local news and more ’connection’. Positive Psychology research tells us that the happiest people on this planet are surrounded by other people. They like people and invest in relationships. They are actively social. They connect with community and look out for others. They do not count visits (i.e. think Johnny owes me a visit – I’ll wait until he calls to me before I call again to him) They don’t decide to send Christmas cards only to those they receive cards from. They send cards with no conditions. They do not reserve their help and support for neighbours that only help and support them. They do not reserve their good wishers for the neighbours that wish them well. Annie is from that vintage. A good neighbour for Rosie and brilliant cousin to my mother.