Celebrating Babies – And Our Fabulous Neighborhood
We’re in a time when the bad news just won’t stop gushing. So what can we do to resist hopelessness, despair, and grouchiness about the state of the world?
Guest of honor Ethan, with daddy Bob
That was the idea dreamed up by two of my neighbors, Lyn Doto and Bill Montgomery, when they realized that our already fabulous neighborhood – Midtown Brandywine, in Wilmington, Delaware – was in the midst of a baby boom. I don’t know why I hadn’t realized it until their invitation slid through our mail slot, but it’s true; the last few months have brought us almost a dozen babies and pregnancies. So last weekend, Lyn and Bill threw a party to welcome all these giggling, squirming, thumb-sucking, wide-eyed, and sleeping new individuals to our community. The main guest of honor was a six-week-old, Ethan (along with daddy Bob and mommy Amie), but as we all poured into Lyn and Bill’s house, we delighted in everyone there.
And almost everyone in our neighborhood was there! How incredible is that, given that the party was at ten a.m. on a Sunday?
But I live in an extraordinary neighborhood. People hang out on porches, have long conversations on the street, help each other shovel snow in the winter, watch movies projected onto walls in the summer, and throw parties all year round. Most of the houses are over a hundred years old, most of the trees are leafy and tall, most of the sidewalks are brick. Many of the residents are involved in the arts; our neighbors paint, work in theatre, do photography, make animation, write lively blogs, produce television shows, work on films – you name it. We also have community leaders, with some involved in their churches, others in city government. Others are marathon runners, long-distance bicyclists, lawyers, engineers, postal workers – and, of course, front porch pontificators.
It’s such a great neighborhood, it was recently the subject of a feature article in Delaware’s premiere newspaper, The News Journal. It’s also why, when I got married and was unenthusiastic about the house my husband had bought in this neighborhood, we decided to fix it up and stay. In fact, the friendliness of our neighborhood led me to write my most recent book, The House On Teacher’s Lane, which is about how we repaired and rejuvenated our house – and our relationship – so we could stay right here. My book, The House On Teacher's Lane
As I wrote in that book when speaking about my neighbors: “We know all their names. We have spoken with them in shorts and bad hair, in down coats and good spirits, with groceries in our hands and worries on their minds, in front of the mural a resident artist painted on his wall and beside the toy truck the little boy plays with across the street. Newcomers or old-timers, black or white, gay or straight, corporate or Bohemian, they are talkative and open….We live…right in the middle of the very characteristic that everyone seeks but that’s never a parameter on real estate Websites: an actual community.”
I know, in our world of bad news – and people living isolated lives, wondering how to connect face-to-face with even one person whose company they enjoy – this is hard to believe.
But it’s true.
So please join us at our party. And I hope that, by the end of this photo montage of the event, you’ll come to believe in community again – and feel buoyed by the power of babies.
Lyn Doto, our co-host, greeted us on her front porch. Yes, she'd just broken her arm, but there was no way she and Bill were going to cancel the party!
Bill Montgomery, our co-host, greeted guests throughout the house. He's the Chief of Staff of the city of Wilmington.
A vast array of food tempted party-goers. Jen smiles above the treats.
Claudia and Matteo hovered near the food, but hugging was more important than eating
The party spilled into the backyard. Here's Kimberly and John, who are expecting, and Ethan, dad Bob, and mom Amie.
The backyard was a happening place. Trish, Eric, Faith, Dan, Sharon, and Jen all gathered around the table. Dan is the president of our very active neighborhood association.
Jacob and his mother Marie sat off to one side of the yard...
...while Heather and Ken, who are also expecting, chatted in another...
...and a bevy of beauties created fine art in the corner.
But things were hopping inside, too! Carol and Judy caught up over some delicious treats.
Diana and Susan shared their latest goings-on.
Nomi and I had a long conversation in the kitchen.
Some guests cuddled other people's kids. Here Trish holds two-week-old Vivien.
There were also guests with no children, like me and my husband Hal. We have a cat.
Bob and Joel have dogs.
Sharon has grown children. Gary has journalistic flair - he's the reporter who wrote the story for the News Journal.
Carlos has a commitment to fundraising for charitable causes, and Adolide to helping people in need.
Sandy and Carol have a brand new rescue dog, Bridget, who arrived from the Midwest only a few days ago.
And when I returned home after this wonderful party, I got to enjoy what I have: my husband Hal and our ridiculous cat Zeebee.
Zeebee's cohort Peach passed away earlier this spring. So celebrating babies strengthens us all. No matter how hard life might get, there is still the pure pleasure of love.
What a wonderful post, Rachel! So much joy in this neighborhood! We are blessed indeed.
This IS a wonderful celebration amidst all of the difficulties of the world right now!
I want to move to your neighborhood!
Love your blog, Rachel! This makes me miss the old ‘hood even more!
Rachel, how we envy you living in what is such a wonderful and nostalgic neighborhood. Here in AZ,it’s now and will be for the next four months, too hot to linger outdoors talking. Most everyone drives into our front garages and then directly into our homes. Lounging is done in our walled back yards mostly with our own family. We get to see too little of neighbors. Your blog made us want to live next door to you and Hal. What a treasure! We miss the ties.
Yeah Midtown Brandywine!
Love the fact that my brother (Dan) is part of such a wonderful community! Great article!
Dear Rachel –
Loved it, as always. Felt like I was there! I wish you had included more pictures of YOU, though! Love,C.
Rachel,
You have a way of gleaning the importance out of life’s little moments, which are easy to take for granted or let go unnoticed. Thanks again for showing us how lucky we are to live in Midtown Brandywine.
Oh thank heaven there is a community that is bonded by friendship and not loss, by babies and not bomb threats. Lovely that you shared it.
This was wonderful! How I miss Midtown and all my special neighbors. I want to be invited back to all the parties and porch talks. The two a year that I get to can’t combat the anonymity of this high-rise condo I moved to. But I do feel the love of all those who have remained as my friends.
Thank you for visiting us – in person and on my blog. We love having you here. As far as we’re concerned, you’re an essential member of the neighborhood. Sending hugs your way from all of us.