One day this week I took time to visit Ginni, my 93-year-old-neighbor. I figured she would be lonely since she doesn’t get out much.

Ha! Little did I know it would soon turn into a spontaneous neighborhood party.

When I got there Jeff, another neighbor, was there visiting. He said he visits every week to check up on Ginni.

Then Gayle dropped in to see if Ginni needed anything. Shortly after, Lois arrived to ask the same question.

We all had the idea to come early because we knew Chef Bob would come later with a dinner for Ginni. He’s been doing that every Friday for the past year, ever since Ginni’s husband died.

We are all neighbors. Every now and then we remark about the wonderful people who live on the block. Their kindness is extraordinary.

If there is a need they meet it without being asked.

As we sat chatting with Ginni I asked if they thought other neighborhoods were that caring.

Lois comes from a small town and said everyone there is friendly and caring, just like our neighborhood.

Jeff comes from a big city where people don’t even get to meet their neighbors like they do on our street where homes are close together and interaction with others is easy.

So we agreed that the layout of a small neighborhood is conducive to getting to know your neighbors.

On rare occasion I think that physical closeness presents problems. When Jeff was barbecuing on his outside grill, a strange-looking shoeless guy with white hair down to his waist came over and sat down. He announced he came for a burger.

Jeff gave him a burger and spent some time getting to know him. When he learned the guy needed someone to drive him to the doctor’s, Jeff volunteered. It was the start of a real friendship between them.

I’m friendly, but I wouldn’t be open to having a stranger drop in and announce he came for dinner.

I marvel at all the caring acts I see in my neighborhood. When Patsy was having a yard sale an older man came to say he needed to buy whatever he could to furnish his home. He just moved in, lived alone and said he “needed everything.”

Patsy stopped waiting on others to fill the newcomer’s car with pots, pans and dishes. He also wanted all the lawn furniture she was selling because he said he had nothing.

Patsy always prices her yard sale items extremely low. But she outdid herself with the newcomer. There was no charge, for any of it.

“Welcome to the neighborhood,” Patsy said. “Let us know if we can help you in any way.”

Not every neighbor is friendly. Some make it clear they don’t want to be bothered.

While I think there are some extraordinarily nice people in our neighborhood, I think our street is only a microcosm of society.

I have always believed people are basically good at heart. While we all have different personalities, most of us would help others if we can because human nature is basically good.

Not everyone agrees with that.

A long time ago a priest came to visit and said he thought people were basically self-centered and more inclined to hurt, not help.

I said I strongly disagreed with that. How can anyone believe we are made in the image of God and still not believe human nature is basically good, I asked him?

As one who greatly respects all clergy, I couldn’t believe I was arguing the point with a learned priest. I felt sorry for him because his life’s experience must not have been pleasant. But I could never agree with him that man is basically evil. Given a choice, most will opt for goodness.

This week Eddie Vedder has been in the news because of his new solo tour and “Earthling” album.

When I think of that great entertainer I don’t think about his talent. I think of his goodness and the way he makes it a point to help people.

My son-in-law Greg Kohs was one of the people he helped, even though he was basically a stranger.

Greg had spent 10 years doing a documentary on Mike and Claire Sardina, better known as Thunder & Lightning, extraordinary Neil Diamond tribute artists.

The day before the documentary was to debut at the Sundance Film Festival, Greg was told the Neil Diamond production company wouldn’t give permission for his songs to be used.

That meant Greg would miss the chance to show the documentary.

Eddie Vedder saved the day by calling his friend Neil Diamond, making it possible for “Song Sung Blue” to be shown at the film festival.

The story had a fairy book ending when Greg’s documentary went on to win Best of Show at 10 film festivals, launching Greg’s documentary career.

There is more I want to tell you about “Song Sung Blue” but I have to save it for another time.

Today, I just want you to know how Eddie Vedder went out of his way to save a fledging filmmaker. All he knew about Greg was that he had put years of hard work into a documentary that deserved to be told. And Vedder helped make it happen.

It’s another example of the goodness of human nature.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.