As you read this, I will be gone but perhaps a small part of me will remain under the big oak at 110 Estates. I wish you well my small town, a place where you helped me settle in and meet my life partner Barbara and raise our sons. It is 36 years ago that as a single hardworking sales guy I bought a small house on Harvard Road. My dear sister Claudia and her family were already in Piedmont and when she found the Harvard house, she made me beg and borrow all I could to close on that home. I was scared and broke but it felt right. I knew it was a place where I could find and bring my soul mate, and yet to be new wife home to this place and here, we would raise a family, educate our children, and build a life together. There were sidewalks where kids could play, do chalk art, ride a big wheel, have a lemonade stand.
When our first son was born into Harvard House, we knew we needed more space but funds not overflowing we began to look for a house that perhaps needed some love and attention. We found Estates Drive and once we saw the backyard, the grand oak canopy in the back we felt this could be our home.
We spent almost 29 years in that house, jumping machines, slip and slides, tree forts, and the thick rope swing. Later years were trampolines, learning to pitch a baseball, a lacrosse net, and a basketball hoop. Countless soccer parties, baseball parties, birthday parties. The Friday night lights for games at Witter field, PBF baseball, the Pinewood Derby. So many great Highlander times.
The melancholy of leaving is palpable, but it is time for the “fourth quarter” of my life. I loved my time raising a family in our town, I so valued the town’s commitment to youth, to families, to long-time friendships. My sons are now launched, one to be a doctor and one a Special Forces Soldier. Our town helped us to raise young men who value education, honor, community, service, and faith. I am grateful.
Now off to the summer home in the San Juan’s and will be looking for a winter Palm Springs home soon.
“You never really leave the place you love. You take part of it with you and leave part of you there”
