My husband and I recently visited the Pacific North Coast. Our trip was prompted by the loss of a former teaching partner who passed away this May. Her husband and daughter planned a Celebration of Life in their beautiful neighborhood of Cannon Beach, Oregon, and Marc and I decided to go.
Sandi retired from education 16 years ago and made a commitment to herself and her family that for the rest of her days on earth she would “Live in Beauty.” Being an artist, she looked at life through a lens that captured nature in its most wonderful light, and with the perfect setting of her home, she was surrounded by it. Marc and I were astounded at the lushness of her garden and the abundance of gorgeous flowers throughout the town. Sandi completely accomplished her goal by choosing a truly beautiful place for her dream home.
Marc and I were also able to visit our cousins who live in Olympia, Washington. (As long as we were that close, why not?) Jeff and Adele also chose a beautiful setting for their retirement home. From their backyard deck, you are surrounded by towering evergreens and flowering shrubs of all descriptions. In both Washington and Oregon, the hydrangeas took our breath away. Apparently hydrangeas of every variety and color love the Pacific North Coast.
When we got home, I headed south and spent a couple of days in San Diego helping my daughter enhance her space. We spent our day adding the finishing touches that make a house a home. We framed wedding pictures, built a gallery wall, and then we tackled the garage. Being on summer break allowed her the time to go through the last of the moving boxes, bring some of the found treasures into the house, and get rid of all that no longer served her. Once done, there was such a sense of accomplishment and peace and beauty in her place.
However and wherever you find it, I hope you choose to Live in Beauty. It could be what you see through your windows to your outdoor space or what you bring inside your rooms, but whatever it is, make it beautiful. If you’d like some help, come on over to FirstHomeEd.com and let’s get started.
All good things,
Diana Cohen
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