Three years ago, the neighbors on our block held an outdoor party. We wanted to honor a neighbor who had passed away, and we figured she would love the idea of bringing us together. I’m grateful to say our block party did just that. I met some neighbors for the first time and deepened my connections with others.
That one gathering sparked something. Soon, we started a group text for our block, and from there, we began helping each other more intentionally. We met in driveways for after-work drinks. We sent each other memes. We exchanged plants and yard furniture.
Eventually, the group text turned into a neighborhood WhatsApp—and from there, it turned into something even more delightful: naming the neighborhood skunk. Yes, a skunk has been waddling through our yards… and leaving its mark. (Side note: What if skunks don’t even want to smell like that?)
I suggested we call it Putrid Petey — Petey for short. But someone came up with the perfect name: Skunky Brewster.
It’s a silly story, but I’m really sharing it to say this: When we bring people together, we never quite know what might flow from that moment. Connection leads to care. It leads to laughter. It leads to naming skunks— or whatever unique, particular thing emerges in community.
I hope the neighbor we honored that day would be pleased to know she brought us together. And I hope, in our own ways, we can each live like that too.
— Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 