Transitions In Neighborhoods

I have lived in my current home through several transitional periods. When I first purchased the home, the majority of my neighbors were young white professional. As years passed on, we experienced three serious economy factors that results in foreclosures. After the foreclosures, property values declined. After property values declined, homes were purchased by working class families who could purchased homes at current values.

During this period, I made a statement that I am now regret: "There goes the neighborhood". I stopped keeping up my yard and only came home at night. I did not speak to my new neighbors and prayed that I could find a new home in a better neighborhood. Little did I know that we were about to face the worst decline in our economy and that property values would decline even more. One evening, I look at the sweet faces of children from all economic basis and ethic groups. It was then that I realized that I was blessed. My neighbors were African Americans, Asians, Latinos, Mexicans, Middle Eastners and Anglos. These children made a different in how I now fewed my neighbors.

Now I speak to everyone and have began to update my home and improve the landscape. God has indeed blessed me. Two years ago, my home was close to foreclosure also. What was I thinking. I must be a good neighbor and take care of the home that I have been blessed with for over twenty years.