One of the advantages of living in a townhouse is that you can't help but get to know your neighbors. Our deck is about 2 feet from our neighbor's deck, our cars are parked right next to each other, and when I sit on my front steps I can see the doors of almost every townhouse in the row.Thankfully, we have great neighbors. Out of the five townhouses in our group, three belong to Indian families, and another Indian family owns the end unit in the next group of homes.
Over the past couple of years, I've gotten to know these families pretty well -- the way they live, some of their customs and beliefs, their awesome food.
I've also noticed that they go about the whole "family" thing totally differently than Americans do.
For one, almost all the families have multiple generations living under one roof. In fact, one household holds a husband and wife with their two young children, the husband's brother and his wife, and two grandparents. (Remember: this is a 3-bedroom townhouse we're talking about, not a mansion.)
In every single home, the unmarried adult children still live with their parents. They all work and attend college. They contribute to the household, babysit the children of their married siblings, help with the cooking, and make their American neighbors (translation: us) very jealous.
When I graduated from college, I never really even considered moving back in with my parents. I ended up moving overseas for a year, and then half-way across the country for my first job.
It was lonely sometimes. I had nice friends and great co-workers, but at the end of the day, I went home to an empty apartment. There were days I desperately wished to be back in the satisfying hustle and bustle of life with a family.
I look at the young adult children of our Indian neighbors and marvel at what a sense of community they all have. Yes, they have career dreams and goals, but they are still so connected to their families. They're not living isolated, workaholic lives. They don't seem to be trying to find themselves. I can't help but think how healthy this must be, this sense of connection and community.
When I see how happy, healthy, vibrant, and genuinely great these young people are, I can't help but be attracted to their way of life. I no longer think I would mind if my kids stayed around after college and contributed to the household while working. Of course, I wouldn't force them to live at home, but if it seemed like a good option and they wanted to, I don't think I would have any problem with that.
In fact, I almost hope they do. I already wonder what life will be like without these two people in our life on a daily basis. Quiet, that's for sure.
So once I can brainwash them into living at home after college, my next job will be to brainwash them into continuing to live at home after they get married. Hmmm...that one might take a little work.
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Holly and our dear friend Miss Irene.
Me looking like a bug in Irene's shades...
The kids "fix" Miss Irene's hair.
Holly sprinkling some plant food on the plants in front of our house.
Gardening work!
Watching Miss Irene garden.
Irene knows a LOT about gardening, and I know nothing: a perfect partnership!
Enjoying a little break from the gardening work out back.
Earlier this summer, Holly kept telling me she really wanted a garden. Irene has wonderfully come up almost every Friday morning to help Holly.
A view of Holly from our deck above.
Putting our cucumber plants in the the ground.
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