ROME -- Old Guy began this column more than five years ago with an appreciation of our good neighbors, Bob and Celeste Jensen. We've known these wonderful seniors now for 31 years -- since before they were seniors, really, when they were just like Old Guy and Still-Young Bride are today -- pre-seniors!

You might remember, back when my column was just a pup, I wrote that when Bob and Celeste decided to build a house kitty-corner from our house, we were at first dismayed at the prospect of losing what we had grown to enjoy during our first several years on our block -- the solitude of being the only house around. But our fears soon were allayed as the Jensens welcomed us into their new home as if we'd known them for a lifetime.

Back then, I also wrote that during the 1980s and into the '90s, the Jensens and Young Guy and Young Bride shared the things that good neighbors share -- occasional yard work, tasty food and lively conversation; but mostly we shared the privacy of leaving each other alone.

Twenty years later, as the new millennium arrived, Old Guy and Still-Young Bride made the difficult decision to build a home that would now be a mile away (as the ladybug flies) from our soon-to-be former neighbors. And after we completed that home and moved into it and that first new decade with a "2" in the front unfolded, we still managed to maintain our warm friendship with Bob and Celeste.

Today, that first decade of this millennium is coming to a close. Unfortunately, so is the Lake Arrowhead residency of Bob and Celeste Jensen.

During the past few years, Bob has had the misfortune to experience two strokes; with no small effort he bounced back from each one. Well, bounce might not be the apt word, but to go through something like that and come up smiling -- with a twinkle in his eye, no less -- is something quite remarkable.

Celeste has been no less remarkable during these ordeals, always standing by her man, to make sure he received nothing less than the best of care. Most times that best care came directly from her and her daughters, Kathryn and Karen, in support of Bob through the trying hours of his rehabilitation.

This week, as they have been preparing to leave Lake Arrowhead by next week, they have received the warm wishes of other friends and neighbors, who, Celeste told me, always seem to gather around them, just when such support is most appreciated. "That is what I'll miss most about this community," she said.

As the called and ordained Old Guy of the town of Rome and on behalf of your friends everywhere, let me say thank you for being such good neighbors, Bob and Celeste. And as you relocate permanently to the Sanford, Fla., area, take good care of yourselves and feel free to come home to Rome, anytime.

Now, for only the second time in this column's history, my word count has well-exceeded its limit of 400. That's because you just can't limit the love that the Jensens continue to bring to those whose good fortune it is to know them.

Godspeed to you both!

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Old Guy's current weight: 213 pounds. Total loss since 12-15-07: 12 pounds. (An even dozen!)

Steve Raap's biweekly column is named for the unofficial motto of Rome. "GOD'S HOME," the book, is available at local stores and online at www.godshomebook.com. Steve's public weight loss attempt continues until his 180-pound goal is achieved. He can be reached at raap@wctc.net.