"We brought our 1-year-old son around to their house with cookies and always took time to chat when passing outside. She was an English teacher in her working years and couldn't wait to tell me about the newest novel she was reading at the time. He used to be a swimmer, as I am, and we would often have conversations about strokes nearly every time we saw each other. They quickly became friends, and we were grateful to have neighbors we liked and trusted."
"Our neighbors, avid cat lovers, said the only reason they no longer had a cat was that they didn't want the cat to outlive them. They started welcoming our little felines into their house throughout the day, feeding them chicken scraps and salmon. Needless to say, Bonnie and Will preferred the treatment and quickly made their home next door. We didn't mind, as they didn't have children or extended family, and the cats provided them a bit of company."
Eleven years ago, a family moved next door to an elderly couple and intentionally cultivated a friendly, supportive relationship across a narrow alley. Regular visits, shared conversations about books and swimming, and treats for a toddler fostered closeness. Two indoor cats became daytime residents next door, receiving food and attention while the neighbors enjoyed companionship. The elderly couple welcomed the family's children as surrogate grandchildren. Over time, the neighbors' involvement grew deep enough that the family needed to set clearer boundaries. Establishing those boundaries created friction and strained the previously close relationship.
Read at Business Insider
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