The EasternMax family live in a cul de sac surrounded by fabulous neighbours. We all notice what is going on, we have an annual Christmas get together and an organised Halloween spectacular.
On one side we have a family with two little boys who are similar in age to our Padawan Learner. For the last three years the three boys have spent most afternoons travelling from one house to the other playing. If I needed to pop down to the shops or pick up a child from an activity our neighbour would watch over the fence to make sure my kids were okay, we would help out with school drop offs and pick ups. My lovely neighbour has borrowed a cup of sugar, I've borrowed a lemon, we've shared kitchen equipment and we have worked on school functions together. It has been just like on 1950s television. I never thought this would all come to an end.
But it has.
On one side we have a family with two little boys who are similar in age to our Padawan Learner. For the last three years the three boys have spent most afternoons travelling from one house to the other playing. If I needed to pop down to the shops or pick up a child from an activity our neighbour would watch over the fence to make sure my kids were okay, we would help out with school drop offs and pick ups. My lovely neighbour has borrowed a cup of sugar, I've borrowed a lemon, we've shared kitchen equipment and we have worked on school functions together. It has been just like on 1950s television. I never thought this would all come to an end.
But it has.
[Our yards are only separated by this pool-style fence, over which we stand and chat]
Three months ago our neighbours were given notice by their landlord to be out by early December. They had been there five years and we suspect it is a capital gains issue for the landlord. Even if they move in they have no children to fill the five bedroom home.
Yesterday the last of our neighbours' stuff was transported to their new home in a neighbouring suburb. We will still see them up at the school but our 1950s TV lifestyle is over.
I can't begin to think how PL will feel once it all sinks in that his mates won't respond to his over.the.fence cry "Guys! Guys! are you there! Wanna play?!"
We will really miss them.
11 comments:
That's very sad! I am building my own little 1950s style neighbour relationship myself and even after the short time I've been here I know I'd hate for them to leave. :(
Hope you manage to keep up the friendship in a similar way.
we had neighbours like that growing up - we'd stand on the back step and whistle (you know the two fingers in your mouth sort of whistle). We just lived in each others houses and when they up and moved it was a bit devastating. Poor PW will miss his over the fence mates. Great neighbours are so precious - hopefully you'll get another family in there soon.
Sad indeed.
I rang up Monet's little Cairns friend the other day for his 5th birthday. He asked me why we had to move away...it broke my heart.
We used to have friends (that weren't quite next door, but were in the general neighbourhood) with whom we shared a 1950s style life. We minded each others kids, fed each others kids, drank G&Ts together, swapped recipes, borrowed kitchen appliances, helped with birthday parties...
And then, in a most inconsiderate turn of events they just upped and left and moved to Sydney.
The cheek of them.
You were supposed to follow...:)
Or was it that I was supposed to come back?
So sad!
Oh wow, your post is quite timely ... for me! I am writing a big feature on good neighbours and I've been looking to find someone who lives on a street where everyone gets together for Christmas parties etc. If you feel inclined to be included (full name optional) in a House & Garden magazine article please do drop me a quick line at spickette@acpmagazines.com.au.
Aw. Good neighbors are valuable indeed. Poor PL.
yes, good neighbours are great, esp for kids. My girls don't have anyone their age nearby.
I felt like this when Crafty moved away, it is so good to have that sort of neighbour.
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