Looking out for our neighbours cannot be just some ideal we work towards; it has to be something we practice every day, from now.
But what does that mean? It means making an effort; engaging with people in our community - especially those who may be feeling lonely or vulnerable.
A media report this week talked about some of our elderly being nervous after a car was broken into in the carpark of Swansea Village in Flaxmere. That is not surprising but what we need to do is to keep talking to each other, caring for each other, looking out for each other and loving each other.
The answer is not, as some seem to think, building a great wall around our elderly which will only further cut them off from the rest of the community and make them more isolated and nervous.
Swansea is not a 'retirement village'; it is social housing for people in the latter years who cannot afford a fancy retirement village. People who have traversed the hard yards of life. And that means we need to take extra care to not only make sure they are safe; but to make sure they feel safe.
It is sad that some residents say they are nervous when they see young people who don't live in the village wandering through. I say that as long as people are there with good intentions, we should encourage it. Other nations encourage the mixing of generations and so should we - the last thing we want is to stick everyone into a corner of our community based on their age.
If you are walking in the area - and it is a public space not a private carpark - and see a resident: say hello, ask how their day is going, smile. It is not that hard.
Parents, I ask you to encourage your kids to stick a smile on their faces and at the very least look happy and friendly. You will be surprised what a difference it can make. And those of you who suspect that your teens may have been involved in activity that is concerning our elderly, ask them how they would feel if the same thing happened to their nan.
We will all reach old age one day and it will come sooner than you think. Let's make changes now so everyone can enjoy all the time they have.
God bless and stay safe.
Henare O'Keefe is a Hastings District councillor for the Flaxmere ward.
