09/01/2020
Another great and heartfelt story related by one of our customers. Had to share this one from Margaret, who articulately tells her own story:
So here I am, about 48 hours from writing my new chapter and leaving this one behind. My belongings are packed, my lovely and devoted housekeepers are here for the last time, the dogs are confused and concerned, calmed only by my reassuring voice telling them they will have an entire farm to romp on. The mail is forwarded and the address is changed on everything. It's real and I don't think I will fully appreciate it until I am gone. The tears have come on and off, mostly for the unknown but also because this is bittersweet. A decade ago I thought I'd spend the rest of my life here.
Fate had other plans...
I was happy here, for a long time. I raised 16 gorgeous puppies here. I had the best times of my life and career here, and unfortunately some of the worst. The people next door are now friends who I will treasure for a lifetime. I will brag loudly every New Year's Day (except the one coming up 😂) as the Rose Parade heads down Colorado Blvd, pointing out to all who will listen about how I was there, how I decorated floats and saw friends ride their horses. In a way, Pasadena will always be my home.
But this email isn't about me, it's about you.
Kirstie, it is because of you all and your tremendous kindness that I am able to write this next chapter at all. I don't think there are words that can adequately explain -- even in the darkest times when I didn't think there was a solution -- how you helped me and picked me up when I was feeling lower than you can imagine without any hope this would turn out positively. You held my hand and made me stay positive and hopeful and for that I will remain forever grateful. If I was ever short-tempered or angry or mean or did anything to make you feel bad, I hope you accept my sincere apologies because my heart is filled with gratitude. I work hard to be a decent person and sometimes I slip up, and I hope you weren't on the receiving end of any of that. After a while this wasn't about a business deal for you anymore, I know you felt empathy for me and my situation and wanted to help me, whatever the outcome.
And Jon, sweeping in to fix everything, even when you didn't have to. Another voice of reason and calm, you stepped in to smooth things over when you didn't need to and helped me when I didn't know how to help myself. And all of this in the middle of what I know is an insanely busy business of your own to run.
And sweet early-rising Michelle, who I think wondered more than once what you got yourself into, answering every question and making sure I understood the process as it happened. You responded to every email and never wavered in your reassurance that it would all work out, even if we couldn't control the time frame. And it all happened in no small part because of you.
So I leave Michigan Avenue in your hands. She is a lovely old girl. Like all of us old ladies, she needs a little work, which I wish I'd done more of (I think you understand why I didn't) but it's not awful and I know you will do what's best for her. And I hope she will make other families happy, because she is a family house. She took good care of me. I left blueprints the people who sold her to us had made for an expansion and addition. Maybe they can be useful for you, too.
I hope we can stay in touch. My house in Texas is being remodeled as we speak (demo started yesterday) so it will be a bit of a construction zone for a while, but I can't wait until it's done. I will be back in CA for two weeks next week for the surgery I hoped would happen earlier this month, but then I probably won't be back after that until next year. I may drive by here if my heart can handle it, but if not I know she is well. Please take care of yourselves and be safe during these uneasy times. And you are always welcome to visit, they film that house flipping TV show in the area.
I am, forever grateful and forever your friend,
Margaret 🏇
