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The IceCream Man Cometh

All summer long we heard the familiar tunes of our neighborhood Icream Man.  Each time I’d run to the front yard, money in hand, only to see his taillights zooming down our street.   Some days we actually sat in our front yard, just waiting to hear his song of ice cream goodness, only to be disappointed while returning to our normal play outside. 
Today we had a little ‘Indian summer’, and low and behold, we heard the Icecream Man’s tunes coming our way.  The kids screamed, “Mom!  Mom!  We hear the Icecream Man!  Hurry!”
I came running, ‘Okay, I thought, we’ll give it one last try’.  I yelled, “Someone find my purse!”  I ran outside to greet our Icecream Man, ordered our kiddos some treats, all the while the five little ones watched from our front yard with cheers and squeals of delight.  I returned with a little box of goodies, and even Babe joined in the chorus of clapping and cheering for Mom. 
I walked into the house, was greeted by HH and his nodding approval.  “What a fun Mom," he said.
So all the kids sat at the table eating their enormous Bomb Pops, Red, White and Blue deliciousness, and I couldn’t help but to remember my own days of youth, with our friendly Icecream man.
I was young, I remember that, probably only 5 or 6 years old, and our whole neighborhood came out to buy something from the tasty-decorated little truck.  Twenty or so kids were out there, waiting in line for their chance to request a personal favorite.  Things were cheaper back then, for sure, one dollar went a long way to buy some treats, while I blew a 10 dollar bill today to reward our youngsters. 
It was different twenty years ago.  That’s for sure.  My family knew all our neighbors.  Parents looked after each others’ kids, there was a community spirit, that they were all working for the same kind of goals.  Today, I didn’t know any of the parents or children that stopped with me to buy some treats.  We exchanged a quick ‘hello’, and that was it.  As soon as we met, we left with our goodies, returned to our homes, and that’s was the end of it. 
I sat at the table, laughing at Babe’s face dripping in patriotism, and I had a sincere mixed emotion.  I was glad the kids were able to enjoy something that I enjoyed as a child, yet, was also saddened to realize, I didn’t really know my neighbors.  We’ve been in this house for six years or so, and we should know who lives by us.  We should.  And we don’t. 
We do know those who live on either side of us, but they are older, retired, and grandparents.  They like to tend to their yards and keep to themselves for the most part. 
Perhaps this little successful goal of treats from the Icecream man was truly a moment in time to recognize, yes, times have changed, treats are more expensive, but we are still people all the same.  We are still raising our kids in this day and age, we are still working toward very similar goals.  I guess, I learned, it’s time to meet the neighbors.
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