Won't you be my neighbor?

I would like to introduce you to one of the dearest men our family has the privilege of knowing. Wilbur is our across-the-street neighbor. He has lived on our street since it's inception, and his house, along with ours and two others, were the original four homes built on our road. He is a WWII vet and just one of the kindest people. He's been around a long time so he knows pretty much everything about the workings of our neighborhood, both past and present! Ever since we moved into our house, three years ago, he has been a friend to Sophia. He reminds me so much of my Grandpa, who is gone now, so I just love that Soph can be his buddy! He's always bringing over little things he finds in his garage. He is always ready to have a conversation if any of us take the time to chat. One thing you have to know about Wilbur, his yard is his baby! Over the years he has removed all trees from his property and even dug ditches around his perimeter so that he doesn't have to deal with leaves in the Fall or weeds creeping over from the other yards! :) He mows almost daily and we've witnessed him a time or two blowing his grass clippings down the street drain and I've even witnessed him vacuuming clippings off his driveway with his shop-vac! We get a kick out of all of that for sure, but really, he is such a special man and we're so thankful he's our neighbor!!! (even if his carpet-like lawn makes our yard look like a weed factory!!! :) )

At any rate, a week or so ago Wilbur had Sophia ask me if he could take her for a ride around his yard in the trailer he bought for the lawn mower. I said yes and they both had a great time! Jamie told me later one of the main reasons Wilbur bought the trailer was so that he could give Sophia a ride! Wilbur is old and we've already witnessed him being picked up by ambulance twice. I dread the day he passes away as I know it will not only devastate us - especially Sophia, but our whole neighborhood will be at a loss without him! So, here's praying the Lord keeps Wilbur around for a long time!