A question we need to revisit is this? In ancient times tribes looked out for one another, hence the phrase, "It Takes a Village". This was taken from the story of two African children who were orphaned and in the commotion separated. When the older sister was able to begin searching for her sibling she found he was being cared for in another part of the village, just as she was being cared for in the part of the village where she had been taken.

This is a lovely story but in our transient and sometimes volatile times our neighbors may change overnight and even worse, we may not know or trust them. As children of the Creator, whatever you call Him, it would behoove us to think again. The people who were very present in my life 20 years ago, even 10 years and surprisingly 5 years ago has drastically changed. People I felt vitally attached to, saw often or spent countless hours laughing, talking, in one another's homes has changed. Who is my neighbor?

When I fell on hard times and didn't know where to turn, the people who helped me and took me in were my neighbor. There are many kind, moral people out there. We may not live or believe exactly as they do, but that's okay. They are our neighbor and dare I draw from an old Sly and the Family Stone song, "Everyday People", to stop looking for the things that make us different and look for the things we agree on. All people want the same basic things, those supposed "Inalienable Rights" to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I won't stop your pursuit if you don't stop mine, and who knows someday you may need to know who is your neighbor.....and I'll be here.