Bread, Salt, and Wine

Last Saturday, my high school bestie-turned-housemate and I hosted a porch pop-by for all the houses on our street. Because I love a good theme, we served red/white/blue snacks to all who stopped by our stoop.

Of the 33 houses on our block, we had about 20 visitors. We weren’t sure how many to expect, since it was a holiday weekend. But for two hours and 45 minutes, we met, chatted, and shared stories with some neighbors we had already met in the past five weeks, as well as brand new folks we had not seen before. But for me, the very best part of our gathering was that neighbors who had been living on our street for a few years to a few decades got to meet other neighbors that they didn’t know either. Making connections for and between people is something that makes my heart full and happy.

Two of our guests brought housewarming gifts, even though we explicitly told our invitees to bring “yourself and a smile.” Our neighbor to the right of us brought two bottles of wine, as we had talked across our backyards about the varieties of wine that we each enjoy. But it was a retired couple down the street who brought a most thoughtful gift.

Millie and Angelo stepped up onto our porch early on in the day with three parts of a beautifully themed gift. Angelo asked if we had ever seen the film “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Being born and raised in Pennsylvania, both Missy and I had of course seen the classic flick, starring PA-born Jimmy Stewart several times each. But apparently, we both missed a scene that many others, including Angelo and Millie, had not. And then Angelo went on to explain the three-part gift.

“In the movie, George and Mary Bailey bring a housewarming gift, which doubles as a blessing, to the Martini family as they move into their new house. And this was the gift,” Angelo said.

“Bread, that this house may never know hunger. Salt, that life may always have flavor. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever,” he explained.

And with that, they handed us a long baguette, a container of Morton salt, and a bottle of wine. Despite the fact that we dis not buy our house, but rather are renting, our neighbors did not care of differentiate. And we were just so touched by the deeply meaningful and thoughtful gift. Additionally, they also brought Finn some treats.

Several of us tossed around the idea of a fall block party, and the ideas and opinions flowed freely. And just like that, a renewed energy for the party that hasn’t taken place since COVID popped up like spring’s first daffodils.

Everyone thanked us for hosting the pop-by, and many commented on how nice it was to meet other neighbors in addition to us. And after the last bit of leftover food was put away, it felt like a privilege to be part of this neighborhood.

And so today, dear neighbors, it is my wish that each of you have at least one neighbor like Angelo and Millie to bless you with food, flavor, and favor. And if you do not have a neighbor like this, maybe you can be one to someone else…maybe to the elderly widower who just lost his wife, or the young couple with a newborn, or maybe the 30-something immigrant who doesn’t come outside much these days.

Until next week, neighbors~~

~~Angie