Noel to the Neighbors You Don’t Know Montrose

We have our friends and neighbors. Our kids play together, there's backyard barbecues, block parties and more. We wave at each other, offer 'Good Morning', and hey how ya doing? But there are people in our neighborhoods we never encounter. That's what this is all about.

A little over two years ago I was out at the mailbox and met my next door neighbor, a man I'b never seen. Well his name is.. well, I'll call him Chief. That's the name he was given back when he was serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Chief was born and raised in Montrose. He never left the Western Slope until he was drafted. Well, he served our Country for a number of years. When he came home life was difficult. He had a wife and Children, but he lost them. He lost them slowly. The Wife, and kids just drifted away, from his issues dealing with the trauma from being in that war, and them not knowing how to deal with him. His unattended distance, anger, and confusion.

Chief lives by himself in a one bedroom, one bathroom next door. Two Thanksgivings ago we took him a plate, complete with all the Turkey Day trimmings. He was so appreciative. Chief is a fascinating man. I'm so glad we got to know him. We'll be taking over a plate on Christmas Day. Look around and see if there's someone in your neighborhood you could reach out to, get to know, and be all the better for it.

[Newsletter]