There is no greater indication of change in your neighbourhood than a moving van. Whether it is coming or going or both, when it is in the driveway next door, you know there will be ripples in your day-to-day pond.

For the old-timers in the neighbourhood, we watch babies arrive and grow and graduate. We can become friends with the folks next door, sharing day-to-day conversations, or we can stay aloof and maybe communication is just a casual nod or wave. Either way, we develop a routine, comfortable for both parties.

There are unwritten rules and policies among the established residents. Important considerations regarding garbage cans, pets, vehicle parking and yard maintenance have been developed over years, and even though there is no strata council, there are expectations that we hope the new residents will adhere to. After all, we were here first.

We were lucky when we bought our first home. We were young kids playing house and suddenly we were homeowners, the new kids on the block, and we had a great neighbour who taught us how to be good neighbours.

Jack was an expert on everything. He knew when to plant and when to harvest, when to build up and when to tear down. He was a gardener, a landscaper, a carpenter and a philosopher. He knew about moles and tomatoes, kids and cars and he was willing to share it all.

Many twilight evenings were spent leaning on the fence discussing gardens or garages, life or death. It was a very peaceful way to exist and required nothing more than a mutual respect for each other鈥檚 space and time. It was a valuable lesson to learn early in life and mirrored the way we had been brought up.

People come and go in our lives and we all leave some sort of impression. It鈥檚 not that difficult to make sure it鈥檚 a positive one. At least that鈥檚 what McGregor says.

A Neighbour

We鈥檇 talk over the fence

On a warm autumn morn,

Usually discussing something

Like tomatoes or corn;

His always grew better than mine

Because he sterilized all his dirt.

One time we cut down

Some cottonwood trees,

His friend was a pro

So this was a breeze;

We spent most of the next week

Repairing what was left of my fence.

We trimmed the hedge

Almost every year,

He鈥檇 rent the trimmer

I鈥檇 buy the beer;

It was funny how a one hour job

Would last almost all afternoon.

I鈥檇 borrow his tools

And he鈥檇 borrow mine,

But I noticed that

Almost every time

He came along with them and did

Almost all of the work.

I remember telling him

About the birth of my son,

And he said my fun

Had just begun;

He said his kids and their families

Were surely the best part of his life.

I鈥檝e moved a few places

In this little town,

And met a lot of people

Before I settled down

You won鈥檛 always find good neighbours

And it鈥檚 tough when they鈥檙e gone.

So Jack, good luck

Wherever you are,

And if you and Lil have a garden

On some distant star,

Save a piece of land next door

For your family and friends.