Something a neighbor said that made me happy

Yesterday, I heard this story from my wife, and it made me very happy.

My wife told me that when she came home the other day, a neighbor she thought she had seen a few times was passing by the house.

My wife and our youngest child said, "Hello!"
They greeted the neighbor.

Then, although it was likely the first time, the neighbor spoke to them, saying,
"Your son always greets me, too. Even when he's by himself. You are raising him very well."
That is what she said.

My wife was very happy to hear that.

I was also very happy to hear that story together with my son.

I strictly tell my children to always greet the neighbors who pass by our house.
Of course, as parents, we lead by example.

I was happy that my son was doing it properly even when we weren't around,
and I am very happy that the neighbors feel that way about him.

I believe that children who greet people when they see them are more likely to be remembered and looked after than children who just walk by.

Given our daily routines, I think there are many neighbors whom we parents rarely see.
There are probably people who only ever see our children.

If there is trouble, they can talk to each other.
If something happens, they can call out to each other.
It helps with crime prevention and disaster preparedness, too.

In this way, thanks to our children, it has become a catalyst for adults to talk to one another.

Our neighbors often call out to us.

"Oh my, you've grown so big!"
"It's gotten colder, hasn't it? Is everyone doing well?"
("You've gotten better!" while he was practicing basketball on his own)
They always call out to us.

Even between a married couple, children are the bond that holds them together.

Even within the community, children are even more so the bond that holds us together.

I think that by receiving such praise, the children were able to gain confidence, and they will likely continue to do it even more.

I was very happy.

Thank you for reading today as well.

The illustration at the beginning is a work by Ikumi | note. Thank you as always.

<Article from 'today' one year ago★>

<Article from 'today' two years ago★>

It's my specialty (laughs)
I recommend it, and I don't recommend it (laughs)