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Neighbourhoods - Aren't They Great!
By Rosemary Bell
It was December 1990, I had just moved into my house the previous week when we were hit with a snowstorm and the city was blanketed with snow. On moving day it was so nice we were standing in the driveway enjoying a nice cold beer after moving all my belongings into the house I had dinner with my parents on the Saturday evening and asked my dad if I could borrow his snowblower. He hemmed and hawed, and said leave it that he would come by and do it for me after church Sunday morning. The real reason, he didn't think that I, being female, could handle the snowblower. I wasn't going to argue with him, so I said I would see him in the morning. After spending most of the day and evening at my parents home, with the snow still falling, I had no idea what to expect when I got home. Arriving about 9:00pm I found the most beautiful thing, my driveway had been plowed! I had only moved in the previous week and with it being winter you don't see too many people outside. I had not met any of the neighbours but when I finally did I asked if they knew who was going around plowing the driveways. They either didn't know or were not going to admit to it. My next door neighbours, who I got to know really well, would always mow my front lawn when they did their's. Most of the time it was the daughter who mowed the lawn. They would then tell me to just borrow their lawnmower to mow my backyard. Whenever I mentioned that I should really buy a lawnmower, they would say what for, you can just keep using ours. They wouldn't even let me pay for the gas I used. They were such great neighbours! I lived in that neighbourhood for 8 years and it was wonderful, living in a community where everyone looked out for each other and helped each other out.
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Rosemary where was your neighborhood?
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Hi Bill, I lived in the Town of Richmond Hill, Ontario located just north of Toronto. It's part of the Greater Toronto Area and it was only a 20 minute drive to my parent's home in Toronto. Rosemary
Hello Rosemary.
You were fortunate to have those neighbours. If we live next door to someone or accross the road we are neighbours, which gives us the chance to do neighbourly things.
Reading your article has mde me realize this. Time for me to buck up.
Thank you.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks James, I was extremely fortunate to live in a neighbourhood where people helped each other out like this. It reminded me of growing up in downtown Toronto where you knew all the neighbours who were always out front and not hiding in their backyards. You might be interested in reading an article written last October. http://www.qondio.com/random-acts-of-kindness Rosemary
Hi Rosemary,
what a pleasure this intel gave me to read.
We used to have similar type neighbours when we lived out in the country. however city life seems to be a whole lot different. I smiled at a lady the other day because she looked so tired and drawn. she actually scowled back at me, which kind of hurt for a while, then I realized the things on her mind were not inducive to smiling so I let it go. I still felt sad for her though. So much joy and giving she is missing out on. that seems to happen so much in the city. Rush, rush, scurry, hurry, hurry, a bit like Peter Rabbit methinks!! Bles you Rosemary, again a choice Intel. Thank you,.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Hi Danella, Thank you always for your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed reading it. Even though it is still called a town, it is in fact a city with a population now of 180,000. I think it was just over 100,000 back then. There are old and new pockets of neighbourhoods and I was lucky enough to live in an old pocket with other residents of 20 - 30 years. Not a lot of kids on the street for my daughter, but there was a small park on the corner, just two houses away. It always felt so good arriving home from working in Toronto and leaving the bustling big city behind me. I know what you mean about smiling at people. I get strange looks all the time when I do the same, but like you I just go merrily on my way. You are such a dear friend Danella. Good luck today. Rosemary
It sounds like you were in the perfect neighbourhood Rosemary; unfortunately, neighbours like that seem to be few and far between nowadays, especialy living in or around the city. Heartwarming intel.
Out of curiosity, where was your neighbourhood?
 | | Barb Jan 3, 2011 22:08 | |
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks Barb, it was perfect for me! And those were just two of the good things about living in my neighbourhood in Richmond Hill. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Hill,_Ontario My neighbours were always sitting on the front porches or walking down the street. It's not a sight you see in most of the new communities being built these days. I prefer living in an older well established neighbourhood instead of a brand new house. I am so glad you enjoyed reading it. Rosemary
Thank you for sharing this very interesting story, Rosemary.
We live in a small town, and live in a retirement mobile home community. There are some 450 homes here, so there is plenty of opportunity to help our neighbors. One realizes how lucky they are, if they have their health and can do for others.
Keep up the good work.
Best wishes.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks Frederick, Even though we were very close to the big city and a lot of residents did the long commute to work, it was like living in a small town. Rosemary
Thank you for sharing your sweet memories with loving neighbors. What refreshing intel to read this new year. I live in the country and have found the same experience to be true. Experiencing community can add to lasting friendships even when one moves away. My neighborhood has some good people, too. We are indeed fortunate! ***** stars!
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you very much Diana, I would love to live in the country, maybe one day. Living in your home is so much nicer when you have good neighbours that you can count on for help. There are more stories about the good neighbours I have had over the years but those are the two that stand out the most. Neighbours that are caring and unselfish. Rosemary
What wonderful neighbors, I'm sure you're a wonderful neighbor too.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks Cheryl, I try to be. Rosemary
Well I can relate to that Rosemary, my neighborhood has been that way for years, they mow, they help plant gardens, they even help with the winter supply of wood. I wouldn't move If they tried to throw me out. It's few and far between for neighborhoods and friends like that. I live in a rural country area and I have a lot of ole tymers around here, a lot of them have moved on and passed and I sure miss them, but they still live on.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Sounds like you have your own Neighbourhood intel to write. The old timers really do help to make a neighbourhood, which is one thing I had. Hope to read an intel from you soon.  Rosemary
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