Fulfilling My Neighbor's Wish

I was momentarily saddened by the news I heard About my neighbor living across the street I was sorry to learn about the condition he had Even though after ten years we never did meet Then days turned into weeks A couple months had passed us by I couldn’t avoid his worsening stories Even though subconsciously, I admit, I tried My random bits of sadness turned into prayer I gave offerings at the Sunday mass I thought about him and made a sign of the cross Every time an ambulance I happened to pass After a year had come and gone And I had worn out my rosary beads I finally got up and knocked on his door To see if I could help with any of his needs I had only seen him once or twice At the end of our driveways picking up the papers The hand I shook in introducing myself Was dehydrated and as thin as wafers An oxygen tube was taped to his nose His lips were dried and caked Every time he had to let out a cough His whole body would tremor and shake He said, “I know many people are praying for me And their thoughts and prayers I appreciate But I am glad that someone had the courage to come And spend some time with me before it’s too late “We live in a neighborhood but we’re not very neighborly Everyone is too busy living their secret little lives But when the merry-go-round stops and it’s time to get off Ignoring those living near you is a mistake you realize” I visited him every day for the next three months Even helped with his hospice care We both found out we had so much in common And for ten years we were never aware When finally he let out his very last breath I was the only person standing beside his bed He made me promise to befriend all of our other neighbors And then my new best friend was dead Today marks our tenth annual block party All the neighbors bring their own special dish We’ve become a large neighborhood family In fulfillment of my buddy’s last wish