Let’s get weird together.

I’m going to share an idea without using a single word related to this universal weirdness every single one of my friends around the world is going through simultaneously. Then I’m going to ask you to do it with me.

Before this global cluster unraveled a few months ago, we were all so busy. Too busy. On top of the obvious obligations and commitments, we filled our schedules with things as if time was something we could control.

In all of this busyness, there was one thing hardly any of us were doing: talking to or spending time with a neighbor. I’m talking about actual neighbors. Not in the, “love your neighbor” sense Jesus talked about.

The old lady that lives across from you with tin-foil on her windows. The young couple with the new baby next door. The grumpy dude on the other side still chaffed your dog pooped in his yard that one time.

I bet you don’t know their names. If you do, I’m certain you don’t know shit about them. Don’t beat yourself up. I don’t either.

That wasn’t my childhood. I knew just about everyone on my street and they damn-sure knew me. Honestly, I was a great kid. My older brother? He was a good kid. And a total shit. More like flaming bags of dog shit. Is Ding Dong Ditch still a thing? I digress.

It wasn’t that long ago when we had to know each other, really. Where else would we get our news? Borrowing a couple eggs or a stick of butter was a real thing. So was shoveling a neighbors driveway.

Then came the Personal Computer. God help us, the Internet soon followed. A million other distractions later, next door neighbors, for most of us, became an after-thought. Actually, no. Worse than an after-thought.

So here we are. Every neighbor at home, and not by choice. I laughed out loud on a recent walk when I tried to say hello to a neighbor. First, they crossed the street. That’s fair. But no eye contact? No response? As if words are the latest addition to the list of banned public conventions.

That’s when I decided to get weird.

I’m going to introduce myself to the neighbors that live across from me, beside me, and behind me.

When times were simpler, and I’m talking about two months ago, I could have baked some cookies. I could have offered to take their trash cans to the curb on trash day. No, I’m talking about something more basic.

Put a note on their door. Keep it straight-to-the-point. Let them know who you are. Most importantly, let them know you see them.

Something like this:

Hello, neighbor … my name is Noah. I live next door, just to the south. I wanted to introduce myself and see how my neighbors are doing. If you need help with an errand or anything, let me know. I or one of my kids are able to help.

How hard was that? Oh, you’re worried your neighbor will think you’re strange? Hah! They already do. We all think our neighbors are weird. Get over it. Score a point for humanity and suck it up. Be a neighbor.

I’m not on Facebook. But you probably are. Want to get super weird? List the first names of five of your neighbors and ask your friends to do the same. Together, let’s put the “Neigh” or “near” back in neighbor.

Oh yeah: double points if you know your neighbor’s name and their pet’s name. Let me know how it goes. I’ll update the blog soon with our results.

Let the weirdness commence.