Family Matters
By Isabelle Southcott
It's a beautiful day in my neighbourhood
Remember that children's television show called Mister Rogers' Neighbourhood? Remember how he would walk through the front door, take off his coat and shoes and put on a cardigan and sneakers? All the while he'd be singing his friendly little song?
It's a beautiful day in this neighbourhood
A beautiful day for a neighbour
Would be mine
Could you be mine
Won't you be my neighbour?
I know this probably sounds kind of corny but every time I look around my new Maple Avenue neighbourhood in the Townsite I think of Mister Rogers and this song.
We recently bought a house in the Townsite. It's a charming and gracious old house that we are turning into a home. Our home.
There are a couple of families with children the same age as my youngest son just across the street. The excited chatter of children playing can be heard through open windows as the boys enjoy themselves at a game of street hockey or ball. Two more families with young children live behind us, which means there's always someone to play with!
The hardest part about moving to our new house was saying goodbye to our old neighbours on Manitoba Avenue. Len and Alice Fougere had become good friends and I knew we would miss them. As I packed box after box, I wondered what my new neighbours would be like. Would they be friendly? Would they like us? Would they like our dog?
Turns out I needn't have worried. Our new house (which was built in 1928) is right next door to Ed and Linda Wegner's home. They live next door to their son Len and his family. A nice young couple from Alberta and their toddler live on the other side.
I soon realized that many little things needed to be done in our new home. The dishwasher needed installing, I needed smoke alarms, leaky faucets fixed, and an outside doorjamb needed replacing. And that was just the beginning.
As I rifled through my pathetic excuse for a toolbox I realized that my young sons are handier than I am. I needed help.
Not long after we moved, Linda invited me next door for tea. As I was admiring her beautiful kitchen cabinets and she said: "Oh! Ed built those."
"He did?"
I explained that I needed someone to tear out a stack of drawers and install a dishwasher. "Do you think Ed might be able to help me?"
That weekend we went away for a track and field meet. When I came home a wonderful surprise was waiting for us. The dishwasher was in! Ed and his son Len had been busy while we were away.
My kids thought I was crazy as they watched me do the happy dance in the kitchen.
It's comforting when you are surrounded by caring people. People who genuinely want to help one another, people who are willing to share their skills, time and expertise.
People who are good neighbours.
Welcome to the Townsite. Welcome to my neighbourhood.
