Another Miracle
Many minor miracles occurred through my very long life, but I will only write about the most significant, like the miracle of living in my home.
In 1985, my father, my brother and I were looking for a house to rent. We found a three-bedroom home that suited our needs. Although the rent payment of $1,175 a month was steep, the neighborhood was lovely. With three of us sharing expenses I knew it would work financially. We moved into the home and I decorated the rooms. A firm believer that a television will bring viewers into a room, I made certain there was a television in the front room. That’s where Dad sat in his wing-back chair with his feet on the ottoman. Marshall would stretch out on the couch while they both watched television. I would nestle on the small couch in the family room to view my favorite programs on a smaller TV. No rooms went unused in our home.
In 1987, two years after we moved in, our father died. He was 90 years old and friends began to console me with, “Well, he lived to a ripe-old-age.” It’s a poor remark and I resented it. I loved him and I wasn’t ready to let him go at any age. I continue to miss him to this day.
Several months after that, my brother suggested that we move into an apartment to reduce our expenses. After much searching we found one in the same neighborhood, presented a deposit for the $850.00 rental, and returned home to inform our landlord of our 30 day notice. Marshall made the phone call but there was no answer. Instead of waiting for a reply, Marshall left the notice of our leaving on the answering system. At the same time, I called my daughter to tell her that she needed to get a trailer and come to San Diego to take the many items that wouldn’t fit into our new apartment. Among those items was an almost new dinette set that I loved. The decision I had to make was keeping it or my dining-room furniture. I opted for the dining room furniture and enjoyed the fact that my daughter would have a nice set of her own.
Days later, my daughter arrived and was loading the dinette set onto the trailer when the phone rang and my brother answered. He came to the door that opened into our garage and stood there with a troubled look on his face. “We have a problem” he said. When I asked, “What’s the problem?” He replied, “That was our landlord. He asked what we were paying for the apartment and I told him. Then he told me to talk to you and if you promise not to move for five years, he will match that.” Naturally, we accepted his offer. We stayed in our home and my daughter returned to Arizona with the dinette set. I am living in this charming home, in a very expensive neighborhood, for just $850.00 a month. Unheard of!… Impossible!…Unreal! Homes in this area rent for over $2,000 a month. This amazing gift has been given to me for the past 18 years.
My landlord is the kindest of men. I call him “My Private Angel.” It is because of him that I am reminded of an incredible miracle every time I write the monthly rent check.
In 1985, my father, my brother and I were looking for a house to rent. We found a three-bedroom home that suited our needs. Although the rent payment of $1,175 a month was steep, the neighborhood was lovely. With three of us sharing expenses I knew it would work financially. We moved into the home and I decorated the rooms. A firm believer that a television will bring viewers into a room, I made certain there was a television in the front room. That’s where Dad sat in his wing-back chair with his feet on the ottoman. Marshall would stretch out on the couch while they both watched television. I would nestle on the small couch in the family room to view my favorite programs on a smaller TV. No rooms went unused in our home.
In 1987, two years after we moved in, our father died. He was 90 years old and friends began to console me with, “Well, he lived to a ripe-old-age.” It’s a poor remark and I resented it. I loved him and I wasn’t ready to let him go at any age. I continue to miss him to this day.
Several months after that, my brother suggested that we move into an apartment to reduce our expenses. After much searching we found one in the same neighborhood, presented a deposit for the $850.00 rental, and returned home to inform our landlord of our 30 day notice. Marshall made the phone call but there was no answer. Instead of waiting for a reply, Marshall left the notice of our leaving on the answering system. At the same time, I called my daughter to tell her that she needed to get a trailer and come to San Diego to take the many items that wouldn’t fit into our new apartment. Among those items was an almost new dinette set that I loved. The decision I had to make was keeping it or my dining-room furniture. I opted for the dining room furniture and enjoyed the fact that my daughter would have a nice set of her own.
Days later, my daughter arrived and was loading the dinette set onto the trailer when the phone rang and my brother answered. He came to the door that opened into our garage and stood there with a troubled look on his face. “We have a problem” he said. When I asked, “What’s the problem?” He replied, “That was our landlord. He asked what we were paying for the apartment and I told him. Then he told me to talk to you and if you promise not to move for five years, he will match that.” Naturally, we accepted his offer. We stayed in our home and my daughter returned to Arizona with the dinette set. I am living in this charming home, in a very expensive neighborhood, for just $850.00 a month. Unheard of!… Impossible!…Unreal! Homes in this area rent for over $2,000 a month. This amazing gift has been given to me for the past 18 years.
My landlord is the kindest of men. I call him “My Private Angel.” It is because of him that I am reminded of an incredible miracle every time I write the monthly rent check.
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