A few days ago, an associate of mine called me to ask if I could pick up a client of hers – a woman who is purchasing a new condominium in St. Petersburg – and take her to an appointment. My associate had a closing with another client scheduled at the same time as the appointment, so she could not drive her. I was free, so I was happy to help out by playing chauffeur for a couple of hours. The appointment was one of those where the person who is planning to purchase a new condo goes to meet members of the board to be ‘approved’. The condominium that the woman is buying is in the Five Towns complex on 54th Avenue North, just east of Park Street.
On the way to Five Towns, we had about a half an hour to talk. I learned that this woman, who is of retirement age and who suffers from a degenerative disease, who is unable to drive a car, who walks with a cane, and who knows not one soul in St. Petersburg, had made the decision to move from her Boston home to a new city because she was ready for a change. She chose St. Petersburg after researching several Florida cities. She was impressed with the beauty of the city and the wide variety of cultural destinations and activities in St. Petersburg. She is excited about seeing the Dali museum, the Museum of Fine Art, and many of the other St. Petersburg fixtures that she’s read about.
I just can’t imagine doing such a thing. In her sixties, new city, no local friends, no support system, no established medical caregivers, no car. But here she was, ready to go. Making it happen. Undaunted. She’s a far, far braver soul than I.
And as we drove out of the complex after her approval and I turned onto 54th Avenue, I noticed the Horn of Plenty, the Cornucopia, planted firmly on the ground in the front of the complex. And it just felt like a perfect Thanksgiving message to me. I have family here, friends, a beautiful home, favorite places, business contacts, and familiarity with every nook and cranny of the city. My life is full and if anyone can lay claim to the proverbial Horn of Plenty, I qualify. For all of this, I am very thankful today.
I hope that you, too, have enough to fill a Cornucopia and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Cornucopia (Click on photo for larger image)
