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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Oregon House bill would raise taxes in 13 cash-strapped counties ... Central Point man dies in Upper Applegate Road crash ... Week's temperatures forecast to peak at 111 on Thursday ... Oregon House bill would raise taxes in 13 cash-strapped counties ... Central Point man dies in Upper Applegate Road crash ... Week's temperatures forecast to peak at 111 on Thursday ... Marketta Gregory: Pass along a compliment Comment By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Oct. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Oct. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News I know there are people like me who feel drained after large gatherings. And people with the kind of depression that makes it almost impossible to plan ahead for social events. People with physical illnesses that make entertaining difficult, too. Can I tell you something, all of us with our hands raised? Hosting dinner is not the only way to love your neighbor. In fact, sometimes it’s not even the best way. It is the first thing I think of when hospitality is mentioned, though. The incredibly clean house. The perfect table settings. The food that all arrives at the table at the same time. While all of that is beautiful and welcoming, it’s hard to pull off with frequency – and especially difficult for people who struggle to push a vacuum or battle the throat-closing darkness of anxiety. But there are other ways to invite people into friendship, other ways to support one another. Sometimes it’s a phone call. A quick five minutes of checking in. It could be a meal you just drop off for that new mom or for the college kid down the street. A ride to pick up a car from the repair shop. An offer to drive someone to the airport. A prayer. A chance to meet one-on-one. Maybe your friend stops by for coffee and cake on the porch. Maybe you meet out for dinner. Showing love might be as simple as a bouquet of flowers from your garden. A load of laundry done. Fixing that flat tire on the kid’s bike. What about those books weighing down your shelves? Is there one you know would be perfect to pass along to a friend? Could you visit www.littlefreelibrary.org and quietly start a Little Free Library where neighbors share books? Maybe what someone needs is a kind note she can hang on her refrigerator – or a thoughtful letter he can tuck inside his jacket. Maybe someone needs to hear a compliment. Whatever it is that you are good at, from painting murals to pickling radishes, that talent is important and useful because people need you. Just the way you are. During the month of October, I’m writing every day about loving our neighbors near and far. If you’d like to follow along, look for posts at simplyfaithful.com. By Marketta Gregory More Content Now MailTribune.com By Marketta Gregory More Content Now Posted Oct. 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501