The Death of a Remarkable Neighbour
We were very saddened to learn of the death of our neighbour, Bernie. His death was unexpected, and left his neighbours in quite a shock. Bernie lived on his own, sometimes sharing his home with borders or friends in need. Although I didn’t know Bernie closely, his death will leave a gaping hole in our neighbourhood.
I first met Bernie when I moved into our home 5 years ago. He made an excellent first impression on my two young boys as he made a point of offering freezees to them whenever they wandered by. We noticed his door was always wide open, and my boys could often be found hovering by his door, taking advantage of the seemingly limitless supply of freezees, and of the bubble gum machine in the kitchen with the required coins placed in a bowl nearby.
As my kitchen window faces his house, I soon noticed that his front door was left open all day, sometimes even in inclement weather, and well past midnight in summer. He had a number of chairs on his porch, and would welcome neighbours for a chat, always offering coffee. As my boys have become older and more responsible, I have often mentioned that should an emergency arise, look to Bernie as he might be right out on the porch, or at least, that his door would be open and they could run in.
Bernie had been involved in a number of car accidents some years ago and was no longer able to work. Although he had chronic pain, and had lost the use of one of his arms, he could often be seen working away, sitting on a little stool with wheels, in his garden. He had a way with flowers. He often cared for the yards of his neighbours by trimming the lawn, watering, or cleaning their driveway.
I realize now how much satisfaction it gave me to glance out my kitchen window and notice his door wide open and welcoming, to see the neighbourhood children playing in his driveway, or find him sitting out on a chair, often with a neighbour or friend. It’s so very sad now, when I glance out the window and see the door shut and the lights off at night.
This little corner of our street will never be the same again.
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