Neighbours...Everybody needs good neighbours

If you've watched the soap "Neighbours", then you will be familiar with the theme song below:

Neighbours, Everybody needs good neighbours
With a little understanding
You can find the perfect blend
Neighbours...should be there for one another
That's when good neighbours become good friends
Ooh Neighbours, should be there for one another
That's when good neighbours become good friends.

Growing up in India, I knew everyone in my locale. But that was just the way it was in India.

Then I moved overseas, and discovered that not everything was quite the way the song went. Neighbours came and left before you even had a chance to say hello. Mind you, I moved a few times, so I did not really get a chance to acquaint myself with any of them. That is, until I met Bill and Linda (surname withheld for privacy, although I can hear Linda bellow in my ear "Privacy, what's that?").

Bill is Scottish (still has a bit of the accent) and Linda is Kiwi. They've been married for ever and you only need to know them to realise how much love they have in their hearts. Bill and Linda, looked after me at a time when I really did not know a lot of people. They were the perfect neighbours and had a key to almost every house in the neighbourhood. Yes, they were friendly without being imposing, they were extremely trustworthy. We had plenty of conversations over hot cuppas. The bikkies and the food were a plenty as were the laughter and the hugs. They even helped me with my packing when I had to leave. I'll never forget that in that last week, they had a hot meal ready for me each night as I got home from work. They were the best neighbours I've ever had and they remain good friends. And I really do miss them.

I recenty had occassion to be in their neck of the woods after almost two and a half years away. I got just 20 minutes with them as I had to rush back to the airport. But there waiting for me was a huge and very delicious ham, cheese and tomato sandwich and a hot cuppa. Just like the old times. We caught up on our news and lives and it was time to leave. Our 20 minutes was so brief, but sometimes brevity speaks volumes.

As I got up to leave, in between the hugs and kisses, I was alerted to something sitting on top of their display cabinet. It was a large picture of me, taken in Edinburgh, dressed in a traditional Scottish kilt. It was proudly displayed among pictures of their children. In that moment, I felt not just loved, but deeply moved.

I've heard people refer to good neighbours, as being living angels -very rare to find, but when we do, they touch our lives in beautiful ways. If that belief is true then I can say that I know I've been blessed to have met two of my personal rare and beautiful angels. And what's more, is that I feel richer for it.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Neighbours indeed!You are one of the best neighbours and friends I have ever had :) F
November 12, 2007 4:16 am
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