"Good fences make good neighbors," wrote Robert Frost in his 1914 poem, "Mending Wall." (Or, rather, if taken as a factual account, it was something his possibly not so good neighbor was fond of saying.) While this theory of isolationism always enjoys a certain level of support in the various sociopolitical climates of the world, it may serve us well to consider what else might make a good neighbor. This is an especially timely time to think thusly, as the fast-approaching 50th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy arrives amid heightened tensions between the United States and China. Consider Kosovo. (Go ahead, I'll wait). While the country is only 12 years old, it is very mature for its age, already demonstrating empathy and compassion seldom seen in teens, let alone tweens. One recent example of Kosovo's emotional precocity can be found among the Kosovars in the capital city of Pristina. There, the athletes who frequent the Pristina Table Tennis Club (PTTC, pictured) were deeply moved by the tragic series of earthquakes which have rocked Croatia over the last few weeks. After being hit by a 5.2-magnitude quake on December 29, the Croatian capital of Zagreb suffered major casualties and damage when a 6.4 struck the following day. A 4.4 performed an encore no one requested on January 15. The next day, about 340 miles southeast as the crow flies, the PTTC quickly organized a benefit tournament to raise funds for humanitarian and rescue operations in Croatia. The local Rotary Club chapter also provided material and logistical support. Charging only five euros to encourage participation, a great many players donated way above and beyond the admission price. "This event is being held in order to help the state of Croatia through table tennis, after the earthquake," said PTTC club president Kastriot Orana. "Through this organization we are trying to support Croatia and empathize with all those suffering." While certainly admirable on its own merits, the effort was not an isolated incident. In 2019, the PTTC held a similar charity tournament after Albania suffered a devastating earthquake. As on Saturday, the event bore the philanthropic fingerprints of the Rotary Club. In 2020, the PTTC rolled up their sleeves to help in a quite different manner, mobilizing a blood drive to assist hospitals overrun by COVID-19 cases. As the donations were screened, unusually high levels of compassion and empathy were found in the Kosovars' blood. With all due respect to Robert Frost's possibly fictitious and, if not, certainly long-dead neighbor, walls are for the selfish and small-minded. As Kosovo has once again shown us, it is Ping-Pong Diplomacy which makes good neighbors.

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