Closing Day!

Closing Day!

February 27 was a bit anti-climatic. After ten years of thinking about the property, two years in active negotiation with the estate which held it, several lawyers, zoning hearings, appraisals, estimates on work to be done, problems to be resolved….we walked into the 13th floor of a building between City Hall and the Union League, and met with Millie, our title company person. There were papers to sign, champagne to be bestowed, a few funny last stories with Millie and with Kathleen (the lawyer for the estate) about families, a few photos. Millie had done everything I can imagine—contacted utilities and arranged for stamps, and figured it all out (what do realtors do at the end?)….And we walked out property owners. And what a property. Solid in the bones, but much cosmetic work to be done and some systems upgrades.

Beautiful community potential, already present in the love Timothy is putting into the yard and plants, the ideas Luke is contributing, the way Christa can make any space beautiful and imagines light into the house, Will’s commitment to prayer, and in the laughter of little girls running through the hallways. Last week, I peaked into the “funny closet,” which is what I call the little hidden space in a 2nd floor bedroom—five steps up into a tiny room with a round window, just big enough for one small chair and a play rug. And there it was, a magical play space all set up. I believe this Narnia house has been waiting for this. Did I mention there is an old, locked wardrobe in the basement? I first moved into the house in 1987, when I moved to Philadelphia. I never imagined I would buy it. Never wanted to buy it. What to do with such a large house? But I did always think the house itself was lovely. And in community, it all works. A few families to love the land back to fruitfulness, and to share space for common life, prayer, work for justice. A whole, intimidating road lies ahead of us. Or it would be intimidating if it were not also shared with other remarkable people, each carrying their part of the vision. I believe we are all looking for sustainable ways to live, and we hope this is one way.