One of our neighbors from next door died around 6 or 7 pm. From what could be ascertained, he died peacefully. He was, if I’m correct, in his 60s, just like his sister (who owns the house) with whom he lived for the last three years.

He was friendly, and both Mom and I talked with him if we were outside. He was half-deaf, had a speech impediment and may have been sickly despite not smoking or drinking. 

I talked with the family, including his sister and her son both before they went to the hospital and after they came back from it. I hugged the lady of the house and talked a bit about his life before the family went inside.

It was a big surprise for me, but the way that the son talked, he and the family are already very familiar with relatives dying in the house over the years that she has lived inside it. By their assertion, she is the oldest resident on our block, having moved next door after the deadly 1953 tornado which struck Warner Robins.

What’s worse is that, like our house, she is also having issues with a roof that threatens to collapse or give way due to age and poor construction. It’s not covered by insurance in either case. 

I’m pretty certain that its going to be worse for her, as grandchildren will have to be next door even more frequently than previously due to the departed’s absence from helping and tending around the house like he used to.

What’s weird is that, last night, I was watching Hanada Shounen Shi, a 2002 anime series about a mischievous boy in 1970’s rural Japan who gains the abilities of a medium after a road accident and has to deal with so many souls asking for their last requests to be fulfilled to their loved ones. 

Now it just seems inappropriate to watch it after what happened. At least, not until I can clear my head a bit. 

I hope that the family next door can heal from this outcome.