everybody needs good neighbours

There are several fab events coming up to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, and I'm hoping to join one tomorrow in Lancaster. I hadn't realised that I needed to pre-book places for the "Exploring the journeys of strangers and neighbours" event and in contacting the organiser earlier today, discovered he was worried about there being enough food to go around at the bagel brunch. So I'm taking some bagels along with some cream cheese, and decided it was inappropriate to make reference to performing miracles, as I don't know him yet. Hopefully by the event's end I will.
I'm also hoping to drop off some food for my sick pal en route. I was reminded how we all need to be community to one another. How we can often say "let me know if you need anything" but actually need sometimes to think actively for ourselves as to what might be useful then just get on and do it. Sometimes it won't be welcome - I'm not suggesting we help people just with the "help" we think they need rather than ask what help they actually need. But sometimes we're not in a place where we can ask for the help we need, so any attempts at help from others are better than nothing. My friend's learning is that we can be better neighbours. Next time we know of someone who lives alone who is sick, or even if they don't live alone but everyone in the house is sick, and we ask if there's anything we can do and don't hear back, then we can get specific. We can take a pan of nutritious soup, we can take a jug of a tempting drink, we can just check how they are doing today.

I've been feeling sad that mainly we all live our separate lives and don't often get to notice if our neighbours are sad or struggling. I attempted visiting my lonely neighbour on friday but there was no answer. I wonder how long it will be before I try again? And again I know I can't singlehandedly visit everyone that I know is lonely. Would I be better putting my energy into changing society so we don't all feel so flipping alone??