By Jim Hagarty
2016
Another neighbour left my street yesterday. He lived just a few doors away for the past 40 years. I was sad to see him go, though he hasn’t moved far away. I can still go see him but I probably won’t. I will miss talking to him almost every day when I’m out walking my dog. My little pup liked George too. George always made a fuss over him.
There are 41 houses on my street. When I moved here 30 years ago this year, I was the new kid on the block: Number 41.
Now, all these years later, and with George leaving, I am moving closer to becoming King of Albert Street. I have moved from Number 41 to Number 5. Only four homeowners have lived here longer than I have. Two of them might be hard to surpass – they grew up on this street and now are almost 70 years old.
Nevertheless, I will continue to pursue my goal of becoming Number 1. Maybe not the most worthwhile of life goals, but something to focus on.
I moved 11 times in my life before I arrived at my present location in 1986. I have been glad for the stability.
Shortly after I took up residence here, I heard a slogan: Bloom where you are planted.
So, here I bloom.
