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The Most Precious Gifts Aren’t Always Wrapped

22
Dec 2011
By

I first read of St Augustine’s Tyler Southern earlier this year. Tyler, a Marine, lost both legs and an arm to a land mine in Afghanistan.

That just twists my heart. I don’t have military relatives and I am not close friends with anyone in the military so I’ve never held my breath waiting for news of a loved one, or (God forbid) had to endure hearing news I didn’t want to hear.

That doesn’t mean I don’t care. I care. Deeply. Every day of my life my heart aches for the families whose loved ones will miss Christmas at home–again–and the ones forced to wake up every day knowing their loved one will never come home again.

So Tyler’s story touched me deeply. I’ve never met him, but I hope I do meet him and his blue-chip wife Ashley someday. Tyler is one of those people I want to be like when I grow up. He is one of those people who make me want to “do more.”

St Augustine “did more.” Through Homes For Our Troops, founded by John Gonsalves, the community built a home for Tyler. Local businesses contributed materials and volunteers rolled up their sleeves and made the home happen.

Tyler and Ashley are getting a new home for Christmas. I’m so happy for them. I wish Tyler, and all his military brothers and sisters, didn’t have to make the sacrifice that put him in a position to need that home. But I am so proud of my town for coming through and not only saying “thank you” to a wounded veteran but also showing him that his willingness to serve his country means something to us all. That he is important to us.

That we see him.

Please read more about Tyler and Ashley Southern here.

Read more about Homes For Our Troops here.

Thanks to Skye Taylor for the flag photo.

Category: St Augustine FL Houses I Have Loved, St Augustine, FL  Leave a Comment  Tags: , ,

Welcome Home, Firm & Faithful

29
Jun 2011
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Someone once told me that if St Augustine is in your blood, you will always come home no matter where you go.

In mid-March of this year, two of St Augustine’s most loved residents came home to their rightful places on the Bayfront and in our hearts. Although I’d grown used to seeing the two empty spots where the lions used to stand at the foot of their bridge, I never stopped missing them. Throughout their six-year absence (and the accompanying chaos of bridge reconstruction) I knew the day would come when the two beautiful sculptures would once again guard the Bridge of Lions as it rose gracefully over Matanzas Bay.

That day is here. The boys were lovingly cared for and cleaned up during their time away. They stand radiant and proud in the Florida sunshine, greeting visitors and welcoming home those of us who return, time after time.

Interestingly, I never knew the lions had names until they came back. One is “Faithful” and the other is “Firm.” Excellent names for these two, I think. I am not sure which one this is, but I love them both equally!

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Coming Home

15
Mar 2011
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I drove into St Augustine late last Thursday afternoon, March 10, exhausted from driving in the rain for two days. Thankfully the day was bordering on “sunny” so the rain was no longer something I’d have to contend with. I checked into my room and took off, exploring my city for the first time in several years.

Wisteria spilling over the garden wall at The Oldest House.

I had a little time to just walk about and get re-acquainted with my city. Springtime has arrived in St Augustine and the season never fails to thrill me, no matter where I am. Of course, I think spring is a lot more intense and enjoyable in St Augustine, but that’s kind of just me…

It felt like coming home to a place I’d never been. Subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes were immediately visible as well as easily felt. Over the past twenty years (and considering St Augustine’s history, twenty years is a drop in the bucket) the city has changed significantly and I’m not sure all the changes are for the better. Still, St Augustine remains my city and my obsession, and I can’t get enough of it.

Most of the outward changes I see involve re-structuring curbs and such, parking, and the recent closure of parking spaces on Aviles Street. I do admit the improvements to streets make the city look pretty in spite of all that new concrete and asphalt. But it almost seems as though someone is trying their best to eliminate as much parking in the city as possible and make the remaining parking difficult to locate as well as pricey. And this is not a good thing.

I was happy to see the improvements made to Aviles Street and the removal of parking north of the St Augustine Historical Society Research Library. I was under the impression that Aviles Street would be closed to vehicles and it is not. In thinking it over, that probably wouldn’t have been a plan anyway.

Bikes on the Plaza

I had forgotten about Bike Week. I usually do. But it wouldn’t have changed my plans at all. In fact, it was wonderful to see the bikes all lined up on the Plaza de la Constitucion and the owners chatting together as they strolled about and visited the city.

I wasn’t in town long enough to do everything I wanted to do but I managed to update a good bit of my old website information and to see some new things I’ve been excited about. I attended the Minorcan Cultural Festival on Saturday where I sampled chicken pilau for the first time, and met the mega-delightful Irma and Stuart Pacetti. Those two just make me smile and smile and I am looking forward to seeing them again sometime.

I spent a cool hour or so at the brand-new Pirate & Treasure Museum across from the Castillo. More on that later, but suffice to say it was an educational and intense experience and I’m so happy the Museum came to St Augustine.

I stayed at my favorite spot, the Marion Motor Lodge, across from the city marina and the Santa Maria restaurant. The owners and staff greeted me with open arms like I’d never been away. It felt like a family reunion, chatting, catching up, and seeing pictures of the grandchildren who are now all either graduating from college or high school. I eventually made it upstairs to my room feeling warm, safe, and welcomed. And that is the best thing that hasn’t changed in the nearly twenty years I’ve been staying there.

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