When I first started writing this column (four years ago next week) I thought I would have to spend a lot of time networking across the city to find people to write about, but that's not what has happened.

Time after time during the first six months, I would meet people or hear stories and find myself thinking, wow, isn't that a nice story and then forget all about it until a few days later when I would suddenly realize that I had overlooked yet another Neighbourhood Hero.

Since then I have written only about people I have bumped into in my normal day-to-day life - I don't work at meeting these people; I have simply trained myself to be more aware when I do meet them.

For those new to the column, we define a Neighbourhood Hero as an ordinary person who does things that any other ordinary person could also do, things that have made a difference in their own life or the lives of people they touch.

Over the centuries it seems we have been programmed to notice and never forget the few people that could possibly hurt us and to gloss over the many Neighbourhood Heroes in our lives.

A good example of how I bump into or hear about Neighbourhood Heroes happened a few weeks ago when I was introduced to Jeff Randle in a coffee shop. When Jeff learned that I write this column, he pulled out a notebook and shared the following notes he had written about his mother, Joyce Randle, an obvious Neighbourhood Hero.

I've never been a religious man. I don't remember ever really believing in God. Maybe he existed at one time but whether or not he's up there watching over things and performing miracles is questionable to me; however, I do believer there is a power or a force to the universe at least that's how I choose to see it. I mean there's definitely something far beyond our control.

When I was a kid I was told we all have a guardian angel. I never really found that one too hard to swallow except the part about the wings and the halo. I try to think realistically and although I do believe in ghosts (because I saw one once) the wings and the halo thing ... that's not really all that believable to me.

Four years ago I was just 37 years old when I had a serious accident on a bicycle and nearly broke my neck. I permanently damaged my spine, my pelvis, and all surrounding ligaments. Just like that almost everything changed for me. It was because of this accident that I came to be back home and living with my mom. It was she who despite being seventy-six years of age (though full of life) assumed the role of complete caregiver. I don't know what the system would have done with me had it not been for my mom.

Since I've been here I have discovered a side of her that I never knew. She's always been full of life, almost always happy, and always treated people, no matter who, in the nicest kindest way. What I failed to notice for so long was her generosity. It's her love, support and good will toward all who need a helping hand that blows me away.

She has so little and yet she gives so much of herself.

There are no wings, and there's no halo but my mom is an angel through and through. If everyone were like her, there would be peace on earth for all.

I now believe in angels.

Call them Neighbourhood Heroes, role models, or "angels", there's no doubt that they surround each and every one of us. How many Neighbourhood Heroes have you failed to notice today?

To nominate a Neighbourhood Hero or to read old columns, go to www.nhero.org.