Get to know your neighbors.

I live in Colorado, and recently we had a huge blizzard that dumped more than two feet of snow on us in just a couple of days. Most of us think of snow as wispy flakes that drift down and land on our heads and make us all feel like Christmas may be real after all. But two feet or more of it makes for real problems. First, you can't get out of your driveway. And even if you shovel your driveway and make it out onto the street, two feet of snow await you there, too. If you live on a side street, as I do, the city isn't going to be plowing in your neighborhood any time soon. You're socked in. So what do you do?

My next-door neighbor, who I know on a first-name basis but not well, brought out his new snow-blower, a machine that makes getting rid of snow look almost fun. Within half an hour, he had cleared our sidewalks and most of our driveway. It didn't get us out of our cul-de-sac but did spare us being fined by the city for not shoveling our walks within 24 hours (a law that can be, and is, punished by a $100 fine). And it gave us a little space to walk from one house to the other, if we were so inclined. He left with no thanks, just a grateful wave from me.

That was a gracious courtesy on the part of my neighbor, but what if, instead of a snowstorm, my house had been on fire? (I've had relatives in the past few years whose houses have burned to the ground.) Who would I call besides 911? Did I know that neighbor's phone number? (No.) Do I know ANY of my neighbors' phone numbers? (No.) Do I even know their names? (No.)

I grew up in a small town in Texas, and all my neighbors knew each other. I know that's not possible anymore, as we all come and go these days, depending on where our jobs take us, etc. But we do all live in what could be called neighborhoods. A cul-de-sac, a street, a few streets. And it's in our best interests, all of us, to get to know each other. Not because we're looking to have each other over for dinner or even a few beers, but in case of an emergency.

Think fast now: if a 911 operator asked you for the phone number of your next-door neighbor, or a neighbor two houses/apartments/condos down, would you know it? Probably not, right?

We live lives of increasing isolation from each other, and email is a culprit, fooling us into thinking that we have LOTS of friends, but how many could come to your aid within minutes?

You may think that your neighbors will eye you with suspicion if you show up on their doorstep wanting to introduce yourself, but you're likely mistaken. We all want contact with others, if just because we may someday need it.

And hey, you might even make a new friend!