Alex and Greta: The Heart of Our Neighborhood

I’ve lived in my home for over 50 years, watching my neighborhood stay the same and grow, all at the same time. The housing is denser, but the gorgeous park at the end of my street is still the same, with tennis courts, a swimming pool, children’s play areas and picnic areas galore. And lots of green, manicured lawns! I’ve walked my dogs continually during all this time. One constant has always been Alex and his Beagle, Greta.

I was initially wary of Alex. He was a war vet (Vietnam) with a “plate in his head,” was on permanent disability, and was unique, to say the least. However, he was unfailingly friendly, kind and interested whenever our paths crossed.

Alex loved to ride his bike, with Greta trailing along beside him, no leash required. She was bred for the show ring but ended up much happier with Alex. They would ride up into the hills, allowing Greta to find things to chase, then come back and report on how the hunt had gone. Alex was always curious about other people and dogs and never forgot a dog’s name.

The Ambassador for Our Neighborhood

As I became more familiar with Alex, I recognized that we shared a deep love for sports and dogs. He loved to greet the dogs I was walking, and they loved him. He always knew the local gossip, whose dog was ill, who could use an extra hand, who had moved out and why, and who had moved in (and their dog’s name!). He asked questions voraciously and seemed to have become the ambassador for our neighborhood. He was a true character!

Greta finally passed away, at something like 17 years old. Alex was a bit adrift for a year or so, then began biking alone on his regular routes again. He filled us in on his daughter in Switzerland and tended to his beautiful cactus garden on an almost daily basis.

It was with such pride that he shared that his daughter was going to have a baby, and that she was coming to stay with him in her final trimester to have the baby here. We were just delighted, and a few of us even caught glimpses of her after she arrived. The due date was the end of August or early September, and every time I walked by, Alex would be out watering with the report: no baby yet.

Around the end of August, Alex was suddenly not outside. We were so excited, as we were sure the baby had been born, and they were busy! Then, several weeks went by with no one watering that garden, and I began to fear that something had happened to the baby or his daughter. I finally asked a neighbor if she had any news and she told me that yes, the baby was born, healthy and well, and that Alex had passed away suddenly, two days later.

Let Others Know How Much They Mean to Us

I was so stunned I could barely speak. My first thought was, at least he got to meet his grandbaby. My second thought was, I hope he knew how much we cherished him. It is a good reminder to let others know how much they mean to us.

I don’t even know Alex’s last name, but I intend to take a copy of this note to his home and make sure his daughter knows how much he pulled our community together. Take a moment, now, and think of people who are “always there”, warming hearts and knitting people together. Then thank them. Before it is too late.

Alex and Greta also brought back memories of my own sweet Miracle. You can read her story here: She really was a Miracle.