They taught us how to cross the street safely, how to write in cursive, and how to find the square root of x.

But no one ever taught us how to be a neighbor.

There wasn’t a class in school called “Crisis Casserole 101” or “How to Greet Someone Without Being Weird.” We didn’t get a handout on how often to wave, when to step in, or when to mind our business. There’s no syllabus for knowing when to offer help and when to offer space.

Being a good neighbor is something we learn on the fly—often by watching others, fumbling through awkward hellos, or figuring out too late that someone needed us more than we realized.

Some folks bring cookies.
Others bring jumper cables.
Some quietly check your trash can and roll it back when you forget.
Others leave porch lights on just long enough for you to get home.

Being a neighbor isn’t always about grand gestures—it’s about consistency. It’s about showing up in small, steady ways. It’s about making people feel a little less alone.

So maybe we didn’t learn it in school.
Maybe we’re still learning now.

And maybe, that’s the whole point.

Know a local do-gooder, quiet hero, or everyday Samaritan? I’m always looking for stories worth sharing in MargeauLand. Send them my way — we shine brighter when we lift each other up.