Known Neighborhood by Krista Dutt

Growing up, if a package came to our address they just left it on the porch. They don't do that in Chicago. Instead, the postman fills out a form and says to pick it up at the neighborhood post office. I don't like doing this - while the post office isn't far away it is in the direction that I don't often go by so I do have to make a special trip during post office hours which is often quite hard to do. However, Friday I went to pick up a package and when I went to the window with card and my ID all ready - the friendly woman handed me my package. Normally, they check the id and the card, go search for it and 10 minutes later get the package. Admiring my shock, the postwoman said - I saw you coming in the front door when I was in the back - I just pulled it then.
Neighborhoods are an important part of Chicago. Often folks don’t have reason to leave their neighborhoods, so it functions in some ways like a small town. I used to laugh at this notion, but it is true. Yesterday, I walked to work, then walked home for lunch, then went to a worship service all on the same block. I didn’t leave my neighborhood at all.
When people ask me about living in the city, these are my experiences. Yes, the city has issues that I didn’t even think about growing up, but nothing a neighborhood can’t handle together. I am thankful that I live here, work here, worship here, and serve God here.