Serendipity

I love serendipity. The way it changes everything around the moment it happens, and after.  Because it happens so seldom.  Because it is to be cherished.  According to Wikipedia, serendipity is when someone finds something they weren't expecting to find. In the simplest of words it means "happy accident". 


As I was driving Bennett home from baseball practice last week we drove past a For Rent sign on a street we pass several times in our comings and goings every single day.  You know, the slot you drive in where you barely notice anything because it is such an ingrained routine, a rut your car just goes down while you mindlessly ride along?  That day I actually took notice of the sign and realized it hadn't been there that morning.  I made a quick U-turn and told Bennett we just had to quickly look.  As it turns out the house was the size we needed, there was an enormous yard and the price was right.  More importantly, we were the first to call.  That right there is a miracle.  We made arrangements to see it the next day and the rest is history.  I won't bore you with the details of the transaction but I will share some reflections I've had about this particular rental since we decided to go with it.


It isn't much.  It's old (1934 old) and rustic.  It's kinda funky (propane tank painted green in the front yard).  If left without a bit of TLC it could easily slide into white trash territory. And perhaps that's why I love it.  It is a bit of a diamond in the rough that the current tenants haven't appreciated.  There is so much character in 'This Old House'  that we can't wait to bring out.  The hardwood floors and solid pine walls and ceiling beams need to be showcased.  Our furniture and northwest art is going to be awesome.  Also, although the yard hasn't been tended at all, a little water and a green thumb will make it beautiful again without much effort.  Lastly, the acreage is full of avocados: an entire grove of trees stands behind the house, ready and waiting for the kids to explore, climb and build forts in - just like when I was a kid.  


The house is small but we'll make it a home with our love and our things.  The front yard is fenced and we'll finally be able to keep the promises we made to the kids about puppies and kittens.  And the kids will be able to have another taste of my childhood climbing the avocado trees and exploring the fields behind the house.  As I reflect on where we've been and lived in all the years we've been married - from our one room cabin on Lake Jordan with no heat but a wood stove to our custom built 2800 sq ft home in Seabeck to a 900 sq ft apartment to "the big house" here at Hidden Oaks, I'm thankful for all of them.  Each has shown us how to live differently and how to appreciate what we've had.  And what we have now is what's important so really, we can live anywhere.  We just want to get busy living.