A Good Neighbor
Chances are, you experienced “The Great Snowstorm of 2026” last month.
Or, maybe you’re currently in the middle of a “Nor’easter,” and riding the storm out.
If you didn’t, or you’re not, I’m proud of you for choosing to live in an area devoid of such meteorological travesties.
My area of Ohio was hit with over 12 inches of snow, a record that exceeded the Blizzard of ’77. Now, I know that those of you who live in places like upstate New York, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska, or even Canada or Iceland are probably laughing at me and saying, “Quit crying over a measly foot of snow.” But I’m in my 60s, and my back isn’t what it used to be.
Snow wasn’t the only thing the storm brought with it. We had single-digit and sub-zero temperatures that lasted for about two weeks. Factor in the wind-chill, and you risk frostbite just walking out to check the mail. If you can make it to the mailbox.
Bottom line here... Someone had to dig us out, and that person was me. Luckily, I had my 35-year-old son over to assist, otherwise I would have ended up frozen like Jack Nicholson in The Shining.
So, there we are, in 20-degree temperatures (probably 7 degrees with the wind-chill), bundled up like Arctic explorers in my driveway, shoveling mounds of snow which had completely enveloped our cars with three-foot drifts. Both my neighbors on either side of me were also out shoveling, as well as the guy across the street. Occasionally, we’d take a break and look at each other, wondering why we ever chose to live in Ohio.
Then, along comes a guy in a 4x4 pickup truck pulling a trailer. And in that trailer, an industrial-sized snow-blower. I glance at the guy as he’s driving by, and say, “Damn. Wish I had one of those.”
Surprisingly, he stops, right there in the middle of the snow-covered road. He doesn’t bother pulling over to the curb because there are no curbs, thanks to the snow plows.
A man exits the truck, bundled up in much the same way we are. He’s an older guy, but has the look of a man who’s worked hard all his life. He puts on his gloves and walks up to my son and me as we’re leaning exhausted on our shovels.
“You boys look like you could use some help,” he says. I figured he was driving around, looking to make some extra money, which I would have gladly paid him if I had any amount of cash. The wife and I don’t carry much cash anymore, relying mostly on plastic or our phones (but that’s another story).
“Sir, I’m sorry, but I don’t have any cash to pay you with,” I told him. He looked like an old farmer somewhere in his early 70s, and the chances of him having some kind of “pay app” were slim to none.
“Nah, I don’t want money,” he said. “I just want to help. I finished digging out my daughter. She lives down the street, and I got plenty of gas left.”
My son and I looked at each other, and I could hear my aching back screaming, “Say yes! SAY YES!!”
Needless to say, I took the man up on his offer. He backed the snowblower off the trailer and commenced snow blowing. It was a gas-powered Craftsman, the largest model they make, and he was done with my driveway in no time. And he didn’t stop there. He also cleared out my three neighbors’ drives. What a guy!
We all got together afterwards and shook his hand, thanking him. I got his name and address, and promised to stop by with some cash to at least pay him for the gas he used, but he wouldn’t allow it. He said he just liked helping out and being a good neighbor.
I’m pretty lucky. I have some good neighbors, and in fact, after this last snow cataclysm, we’re all pooling our money together to buy a large snowblower that we can all use if the Great White North ever creeps down on us again.
I used to hear my parents and grandparents talk about doing neighborly things all the time. To tell you the truth, I thought that way of thinking was a thing of the past. But lately, I’m seeing more on the news and social media about people helping out those in need.
What does it take to be a good neighbor? Compassion for others? A sense of responsibility to contribute to the community? A desire to do good deeds? Maybe it’s just someone willing to help out, inspiring others to do the same.
You know, I think I’ll stop by that farmer’s house anyway and see if he needs a hand. Might as well throw my snow shovel in the truck when I go. You never know who else may need a hand.
Ron Clyburn
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