I’ve always believed that beauty and compassion have the power to bring us closer — to remind us of our shared humanity. That’s the heart behind this new series.
Meet My Neighbor is an invitation; a space to explore who we are, where we come from and where we’re going — together. This column is about all of us who call the Roaring Fork Valley home. It’s about the moments we share, the ones we don’t, and the stories that weave us into a community.
In a world that often highlights what divides us, I want to focus on what connects us. This isn’t about drawing lines between “us” and “them.” It’s about leaning into curiosity, empathy and the simple magic of getting to know one another — one story at a time. Sometimes, all it takes is a good question, a willingness to listen and a bit of “okay” writing to find common ground.
My first interviewee was a sweet local flower. Born and raised here in the RFV, her name is Magnolia. She is a delightful girl, who brings joy and sweetness to everyone she lets in.
What is your name and how old are you?
MAGNOLIA: My name is Magnolia Pearl Hall and I’m almost 10.
GG: Do you know why you were named Magnolia?
MAGNOLIA: **Shrugs her shoulders**
GG: No… ok.
What is a hobby or passion you think people should know about?
MAGNOLIA: I just started silks and in the fall I’m going to do a Harry Potter performance.
GG: You are? Who are you going to be?
MAGNOLIA: We haven’t started practice.
GG: Have you read the books?
MAGNOLIA: I am on the fifth one.
GG (very high-pitched/excited): You are? Those were my favorite books growing up. I was 9 years old when the first one came out. All through my childhood and my teenage years I fell in love with the story so much. I was like, “Uhh… I wanna be in Hogwarts so bad.”
MAGNOLIA: I’ve also watched four of the movies. The third one is the scariest…
GG: But I’m gonna tell you something, and you will understand later on, it is the best one! Because of the storyline. Later you will know what I mean by that!
If you could be a character in Harry Potter, who would you be?
MAGNOLIA: Hermione.
GG: Yes! Me too, though I have to say also Luna.
What is a problem or issue you wish to solve?
MAGNOLIA: Hmmm… for everyone in my class to get along.
GG: You don’t think people get along?
MAGNOLIA: Well, they don’t fight people in my class. People are like choosing one friend to be with…
GG: Oh, I see. They are not trying to open up to other friends and other people.
MAGNOLIA: Yes, and so they are only choosing one friend, and just being with them and then protecting that friend and not letting anyone else play with them.
GG: Ohh! Interesting… How does that make you feel?
MAGNOLIA: **Long pause** I don’t know.
GG: Do you know what the word “empath” means?
MAGNOLIA: **Nods**
GG: So an empath is a person that does not necessarily have to go through the same situation as you but can relate to you, and understand your pain or sorrow because they can be attuned to it. Do you think you are an empath? Do you think you feel people’s sorrows and sadness, even when you are not going through some of that?
MAGNOLIA: **Thinks and looks up in agreement**
GG: I think you are an empath.
If you were granted three wishes, what would you do with the second one?
MAGNOLIA: Live really, really, really long with my dog, Lulu.
Tell me a sound you like, and one you dislike?
MAGNOLIA: I have two that I dislike. The first one that I like is rain, falling rain. My first one for the sounds that I dislike is a spoon scraping on a metal bowl, and then my second one is nails scraping on a chalkboard! I’ve heard it once and I don’t like it!
What is a song that makes you dance?
MAGNOLIA: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus and “Electric Avenue” by Eddie Grant.
If you could own a piece of art, what would it be and why?
MAGNOLIA: I have it in my bedroom. The one that I do have, when I was born, my cousin Mehgan painted it, and she is really into art because paintings are fun to paint, and they are really pretty, and then flowers are really pretty and they smell good.
**The painting depicts a cherry blossom — or a magnolia. What she likes the most is the details in it. This painting hangs above her bed.**
Disney princesses or K-pop stars?
MAGNOLIA: **Smirks and laughs** This is a funny one. What’s a K-pop star?
GG: **Proceeds to explain what a K-pop star is using the comparison: if Taylor Swift was in a band and she was from South Korea. Keep in mind GG is a millennial and is not sure if this was an accurate assessment.**
MAGNOLIA: Ok! K-pop star!
What is your favorite snack while camping?
MAGNOLIA: Cheesy popcorn!
Which mountain in the Valley do you love to see over and over again?
MAGNOLIA: Ajax Aspen Mountain. I like skiing it!
GG: So I guess this question gave itself away, I think I know what your answer will be. If you had to choose one, skiing, hiking or mountain biking?
MAGNOLIA: Skiing! I can ski backwards.
What do you wish people knew about you?
MAGNOLIA: That I am funny at home.
GG: Funny because you do funny things, or funny because you make jokes?
MAGNOLIA: Funny things!
GG: **Asks Magnolia to give her the most recent funny thing she has done, to which Magnolia proceeds and does a bunny face!**