How quickly does a life pass?

Trees stay put until some sod comes along and cuts them down. People transplant themselves. A case study: José, our local car mechanic is about to uproot himself and move to Barcelona. His workshop looks out on a bleak patch of green where only one tree has ever been able to take root. Plodding dogs, vainly marking their territory, have corroded it to the bone. I'll miss him, while the lime tree continues to throw out its blossom with a perfume that puts the neighbourhood to shame. José is as far away from a mechanic as I can imagine, talking about a film you've seen and making you think "Where was I then?"