I Get By With a Little Help From My Friendly Neighbors!

Editor’s Note: Madge Giorgio (shown at right) is a 2024 graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy. She will head to Purdue Univesity in the fall, where she will be majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in French.

I woke up and climbed out of the tall bed that I could barely get out of to make the long journey to my parents room. I quietly opened the door to wake my dad and ask him if we could bike to the marina. He would groan but get out of bed, have a cup of coffee, and then we were off.  I always wore my pajamas from the night before, which was most often a princess nightgown. We would bike to the marina, to the park, up to Publix (which was Smith Brothers at the time), and then home. It is one of my most cherished childhood memories.

I always loved biking in the early morning in The Landings. I loved to see all the people out and about walking, golfing, and biking. I especially loved seeing all the dogs that people were walking. I used to love saying hello to all the people that were out and about. It always made me so happy to see their smiling faces.

As I got older, my love for this island did not fade, but my love for the people has lessened. That might be because I have become a teenager who wants to do what I want, but I think the island as a whole has lost some of the kindness that I remember so vividly from when I was younger.

This fall, I will be leaving this island to start my first year at Purdue University. While I am slightly terrified of meeting all new people, I also am sure that the foundation of kindness that was formed from my morning bike rides, along with my friendly smile, will make the transition much easier. I hope we as a community can get back to that kindness I remember as a child and welcome all the new residents, while reminding  the old ones of  how it used to be.