As a homeowner, one must watch for rats, and cracks in the ceiling or walls, the chipping paint in the halls; yellow never looked so muddy. Thankfully, being an educated landlord, I know when to repaint, know how to fix the plumbing, who not to rent to. Mother always said, “Be wary, people will take advantage of your hospitality, wolves will nest in the eaves of your house, their barbed wire wings will scratch the windows.” Grandma always knew, “Be kind to your tenants, be warm with your friends even closer with your enemies, forgive anyone who eggs your house out of spite.”  I finally learned, “Curb appeal is best; keep the lawn nice and wet- don’t let your heart appear broken or no one will want to stay inside.” Home is where the heart is. But what if my heart is the building? Housing so many things, so many people, good tidings to bring to the neighborhood like a basket of muffins: I wasn’t always good at doing this job. I had to learn, I had to fight to be compassionate. This house wasn’t always kept pristine. it use to be an apartment, shoddy and full of dust. Then I learned how to clean and I learned how to heal; I learned how to love and I learned how to make my building big enough for everything and anything...wondrous.
©bea.ahre
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