Who are the people in YOUR neighborhood

Hearing this music, singing these words, I am taken back to watching Sesame Street as a little kid (and maybe as well while riding in the car):

Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, in your neighborhood.
Say who are the people in your neighborhood--
The people that you meet each day?

Oh, the postman always brings the mail
Through rain or snow or sleet or hail.
I'll work, and work the whole day through
To get your letters safe to you.

Cause a postman is a person in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, he's in your neighborhood.
A postman is a person in your neighborhood--
A person that you meet each day.

Oh, a fireman is brave it's said.
His engine is a shiny red.
If there's a fire anywhere about.
Well, I'll be sure to put it out!

Cause a fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, he's in your neighborhood.
And a postman is a person in your neighborhood--
Well they're the people that you meet
When you're walking down the street
They're the people that you meet each day!

When “the world was younger” it was sufficient (and useful) to teach children about the postman, fireman, baker – or teacher, rabbi and doctor – the people who made up our surroundings, our “neighborhood,” each day.

And today, the emphasis on connecting with the people in our neighborhood has never been more pronounced. Yet, the ‘hood has expanded, for every one of us. Not merely the corner drug store, the local school, and the nearby playground make up our neighborhood. And, it’s not just the people from the houses around the block. Of course, our real-time interaction with people extends through digital media so that we are becoming one global community.

My neighborhood now both spans geographic distance (love being only a click away from people far and near) as well as bridges the gaps in time (ok, how cool is it to reconnect with old friends and people from long ago?).

So let’s sing again. But first, who are the people in your “digital neighborhood?” As we think about this, it gives greater meaning to the idea “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Potent words way back when – perhaps even more so now.

Howdy neighbor!