Time for a Change

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”

Mahatma Gandhi

The Rebuilding Process:

Jess & I remodeled this house. I mean we literally remodeled this house. We pulled sheetrock down, we tore cabinets out, we ripped up flooring, you name it and we were part of it. And then, with the help of some very skilled craftspeople, we rebuilt this house. Jess meticulously designed this space, but very specifically, the kitchen and primary closet were her babies. And they were, still are, ridiculously beautiful. Works of art to showcase other’s works of art. CLB, Gucci, Ferragamo, Viking, Bang & Olufsen, Christopher Martin, Allen Kirsch, Lindsay Cowles just to name a few. These spaces were designed to illuminate & elevate others. A livable gallery. I still can’t believe that I was able to call a home like this my own. To some it would just be a house but to us it represented much more than that. This was a crown jewel that only the elite were privileged to witness. Don’t get me wrong, there is NO way we could recreate this today, we were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. The powers that be put us there for a reason beyond our control and that we would not even realize until the end. What’s crazy is we only found this property because of a chance drive down the wrong street one day while I was meeting with a client. But was it really the wrong street? I think it was pretty much the perfect street for me to be “lost” on. And for the house to be on a corner, just to get a little extra room & exposure for a garden yet to even be imagined. Serendipitous! The neighbors we met & connected with, many of whom we’ll remain friends with, who would have known? Someone knew. Someone put us in this exact spot for a reason. More on that in the future….

It’s really amazing how much we changed in this home. Yes, we changed the home itself, but it also changed us. As individuals & as a couple. The forces in the universe put us there at that specific moment for a reason bigger than we understood. The ways in which this home changed us, I don’t think I fully comprehend just yet. Little by little, ideas & memories pop up that weren’t there before. Reminders of how we’re on the path we’re supposed to be on, even though we may not know where we’re going just yet. But we should definitely pay attention because the opportunities will present themselves and we have to be ready to accept them. I don’t believe in fate necessarily, but I do believe we are offered choices in life based on certain circumstances and we must decide how to receive this information. Do I accept this with the understanding that this is happening for me, not to me? Can I learn from this experience and will this help better my life in some fashion? Will this allow me to help others? Is this detrimental to my well-being? Only you can answer these questions and they will present themselves many times every single day. So choose wisely! I now understand that I am in control of my daily destiny. I have the power to determine how my day will play out. Sure there are obstacles to overcome that may be popping up all around you, but have you ever tried parkour? Man I love jumping on and over things in my way these days! Bring. It. On!

Ok, back on track. To have been introduced to all the people in the neighborhood, to understand they will be part of our lives going forward, even the ones we’ll never see again, they were still part of our experience here. And to realize that we’re better because of it. It’s such a great feeling of community that we may have never known if it had not been for the garden. We actually stopped by the annual 4th of July party the neighborhood had a week ago and saw so many people that we wanted to say hello/goodbye to. To have conversations with old friends and new acquaintances, to learn that we inspired others, even if it was just to dig in the dirt and drop a tomato plant in, or think about certain flowers for all of the pollinators, or just to wave as they drive by because now we see one another. We even found out that a neighbor planted a native prairie in their backyard, in part because of our front garden, I mean that is beyond humbling. To hear how sad everyone is that the garden is going away and how much they loved seeing the evolution throughout the years. To understand that our little corner of the world mattered to others, that gives me the warm and fuzzies like nothing else! & makes me want to go bigger! I have learned so much in the last few years that it’s a little difficult to quantify because I haven’t fully embraced the knowledge just yet, but I’m working on it. I’m trying to be more patient, more understanding, more empathetic. I have my good days and I have my bad days. But the most amazing part is the fact that I still have days at all, and I should be thankful for that fact alone. This life is a gift. I know it sounds so cliché, but we really do only get one chance here on Earth, so why do we spend so much of it fighting & complaining & judging? We should be celebrating every day that we’re even here! What are the odds? I’m not sure there is a number that exists to answer that. It’s astronomical! Yet here we are. Together. In this one life we all have been given. This home has taught me to try new things. To trust in others. To know my wife will always be there for me. That she believes in me. She trusts me. & I trust her. I support her. We are partners. We rebuilt this home together. But really this house rebuilt us. And I cherish every single memory we have made here. I am forever in gratitude to this home & I will never forget that. Thank you. I Love you. & I will miss you. All of you.