Lucia Silecchia on the Importance of Our Neighbors

"Recently, my neighbor died.

"When I was at the funeral home and when I arrived at work late after his funeral, I was asked how I knew the gentleman who passed away. It was almost sheepishly, or with a note of apology that I said he was 'a neighbor.' It was almost as though I thought that to mourn for one who was 'just' a neighbor was somehow unjust to his nearest and dearest.

"On reflection, though, my instincts were wrong. To downplay the importance of our neighbors is to deny the often-underappreciated presence they are in our lives."

In a recent commentary, writer/Professor Lucia A. Silecchia reflected on the role and importance of neighbor in our lives.

To access Professor Silecchia's complete post, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Lucia A. Silecchia: Love of neighbor (21 JAN 26)