Supporting Communities Through Porch Swings and Stories

Communities grow stronger when people connect, share, and support one another. One simple way to foster these connections is through something as humble as a porch swing. More than just a seat, a porch swing invites conversation, reflection, and storytelling. This post explores how supporting communities one porch swing at a time helps build bonds and uplifts lives by sharing the stories of the people involved.

A wooden porch swing on a welcoming front porch, inviting neighbors to sit and share stories

The Power of a Porch Swing in Community Life

Porch swings have long been a symbol of relaxation and neighborly connection. They create a space where people can pause from their busy lives and engage in meaningful conversations. Unlike other seating options, a porch swing gently moves, encouraging calm and openness. This simple motion helps people feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.

Please hear what some cannot say

Every person has a story worth hearing. I will introduce a few of these amazing seniors we have the blessing of supporting. In protecting individuals identity, I will use abbreviated names they approved.

Meet Mrs. G

Mrs. G. is a 78 year old lady that was sponsored by her family. She was known to be a very vibrant person who after losing her husband no longer engaged in any social activities. Mrs. G. was rather withdrawn, but everyone regarded it as normal with mourning her husband's passing. Her family would call and she always said she was doing good, but they were concerned because they lived out of state and could only visit every few months. They contacted me and wanted weekly in-person visits, calls, and updates.

I called up Mrs. G and introduced Neighborly Way. I explained that I would love to just stop by and visit when she had a free minute. Two days later, I was sitting on her porch swing. I had picked up lunch (knowing from her family what she liked) and kindly offered if she would join me. Even though we were basically strangers, she took one bite of her sandwich and this opened the floodgates of emotions for her. She shared how she couldn't eat at her dining table any longer. It was too painful after the loss of her husband who always joined her there. Now she found herself eating on the couch. She admitted that sometimes she didn't eat at all. She knew it was good for her, but she didn't have the heart to share with her family. She didn't want to worry her kids or be any burden for them. She told me how she looked forward to their phone calls and visits, but at the same time the energy to pretend to be okay was more than she could handle. We even discussed the small talk that two people may have that is meaningless to others. She had tears in her eyes sharing how there was some lint and dirt in the corner of the shoe closet, but she couldn't tell her husband. It wasn't something she would tell anybody else. It was just one of those personal things that meant nothing at all but at the same time everything to her. We had a bit of a laugh when I said we could talk dirt any time. Being from the South, it's like an inside joke that we are all up in everybody's business.

Two days later, I call Mrs. G. up again. She was cheerful and telling me that she couldn't wait until her rose bush bloomed. We talked about her rose and other flowers for a few more minutes. Then I asked if she would like me to help clean out that shoe closet on my next visit.

I could write a book on Mrs. G. and what a lovely lady she truly is. What started as a phone call has now become a friendship. Not only had Neighborly Way supported her, but updates are being provided to her family. They immediately noticed the difference when they call her. The peace of mind has been priceless for her and her family.

Meet Mr. Don

Mr. Don is 71 and he saw Neighborly Way's phone number on a flyer and called. He admits that he was just nosey and wanted to find out what it was all about. He had a bunch of questions, but as we talked I found he was more interested in keeping me on the phone than he was about actually knowing the details of the service. He didn't want to sign up for anything, but he said if I wanted to stop by he could help me out by paying me to make him a meal and maybe wash his laundry because he hated doing that.

Like Mr. Don, I had my own questions about his outreach. He sounded like somebody who was very happy and active in his community. So, I scheduled time to go visit. Mr. Don was sitting outside waiting for me. He had a few cats crawling on and around him. He stood up to greet me and shook my hand roughly. He was surprised I was there at the time I said I would be. He wasn't aware that I shared the same beliefs as he did about keeping your word and being on time. He continued sharing stories about people who didn't show up or were always late as he opened the door for me.

He didn't waste any time in letting me get started on the tasks at hand. He led me straight to the laundry pile. The house was not cluttered, but clearly hadn't been deep cleaned in a long time. I started with the laundry and then worked my way into the kitchen. He had already put meat in a crockpot and it had been cooking all morning. Come to find out, he didn't actually want the meal cooked, he wanted me to make biscuits and not from a can. You see, he was testing me. He wasn't going to be friendly to just anybody.

Laundry, check. Biscuits delicious, check. Showed up on time, check. Mr. Don walked me outside and thanked me. He handed me $50. I hadn't asked for any payment, but he said he saw that amount on the flyer. He invited me to come back in a couple weeks and do the tasks again. He said it was okay to call if I needed anything else. Somehow, he had turned the visit into helping me. I smiled and thanked him. Who doesn't need another friend?

Mr. Don was never married and has no kids. He shared how his only brother had died a few years ago, and the only family he has lives on the other coast. He does have a couple buddies that stop by once in a while, but otherwise he is a loner. He isn't interested in senior activities, but he does like to visit Tractor Supply and talk to the people who work there. The closest neighbors are down the road, but people move in and out and he doesn't know any of them. He keeps to himself.

Mr. Don is not the usual sponsorship or person seeking support, but he is one of the ways we are able to bridge the gap and provide care and concern for somebody who otherwise goes unnoticed.

Check back to meet more neighbors!

Please reach out if you have a friend, family member, or neighbor that could be supported. If you can donate to sponsor others, please do. If you cannot, please still refer them. Others are happy to donate to provide for them.

Neighborlyway@gmail.com