The Real Estate of the Heart

 

Neighborhoods are for walking.

Walking the stately boulevards of Chevy Chase in old DC, I stumbled upon my very first grownup apartment at the corner of Connecticut and Chesapeake. On my way to a brand new book group at Politics & Prose, I took a walk down memory lane.

 

 

My walk got me thinking about all the places I have called home: the sacred places and holy spaces I have inhabited in my six decades. I decided to draw them out on a map – a map through both time and space.

I mapped them all out to see if their walls could still talk. And as a matter of fact, they still do.

Starting with….

#### 13^th St, SE, Anacostia, Washington, DC

It was my grandmother’s house decorated with chintz covered sofas and overstuffed chairs. The neighborhood was blue collar and just a stone’s throw from the Anacostia River. I remember running through the sprinkler in the backyard in my underwear, an upright piano painted red, and an indoor telephone booth.

### Kenton Place, Marlow Heights, MD

A 1958 three bedroom, two bath, semi detached, in a suburb of starter homes, decorated “I Love Lucy” colonial style with formica kitchen counters. I have but one memory: standing in the yard with my face pressed up against a chain link fence watching my father pull into the driveway. Or maybe it was my mother.

#### 24^th Avenue, Hillcrest Heights, MD

This six bedroom, four bath brick colonial was decked out in 1960’s Jackie Kennedy chic. Located in a “Leave it to Beaver” suburb just outside of SE DC, I remember cracking Chesapeake Bay blue crabs in the backyard; playing kickball across the street, sharing a room with my neat freak older sister, and watching history marching by: Kennedy, the first Catholic president in the White House and Martin Luther, the Jr. King of Resurrection City.

#### Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, Washington, DC

This teensy, tiny little efficiency – barely 12 feet square – was furnished with a bargain basement sleep sofa and milk cartons. Milk carton end tables, milk carton coffee table, and milk carton bookshelves. The neighborhood was filled with the broad leafy trees of Old DC. Tricky Dick was in the White House. I remember celebrating my very first Christmas without chaos. We wove God’s Eyes out of yarn and popsicle sticks and hung them on the tree.

#### Lanier Place, Adams Morgan, Washington, DC

This one bedroom “English Basement” was tucked into a corner of Adams Morgan. The National Zoo was practically in our back yard and we were just a stone’s throw away from Dupont Circle. The neighborhood was Hispanic and hip and we decorated our little place with a Latino flair. I remember Guatemalan coffee and churros, speaking Spanish all day, and street vendors in the park. A bit of a high crime district, we did not live there long.

#### North Troy St., Clarendon, Arlington, VA

Two bedroom, one bath in post WWII brick garden apartment complex called Colonial Village. Low budget ‘70’s décor: bright yellow plastic cubes, denim sofa, with orange shag carpet. I remember building matching desks out of wooden doors and sawhorses. I remember eating fried bologna and potato pancakes every Wednesday night. I remember “recycling” the trash for the very first time.

### East Bellefonte Ave, Del Ray, Alexandria, Va

A second floor walk-up with only one bedroom and a big back yard. Located in Del Ray, a sketchy blue collar, old railroad town, just south of the Potomac Switching Yards. Decorated with “antique”: oak dressers, chifferobe, and a dented double brass bed. I remember hearing train cars coupling in the night. I remember spaghetti dinners at Jim and Kay’s across the street.

#### Curving Creek Rd, Springfield VA

Three bedroom, two bath townhouse newly constructed in the middle of nowhere. Lorton Penitentiary was practically in our backyard and the grocery store was a five mile car ride away. Accented with a touch of country quaint, this was our firstborn’s first home. I remember baby Zach stuffed into a snowsuit being pulled on a wooden sled. I remember the Christmas tree propped up and protected by a playpen. I remember hanging a home made wreath with balls of colored yarn on our steel metal door.

### East Windsor Ave, Del Ray, Alexandria, VA

Four bedroom, two bath 1920’s bungalow located directly across the street from the fire station. Reagan was in the White House when we moved in, George W. when I moved out. This was our “first house” that turned out to be our only house. The décor was “’80’s Early Parenthood”. Only 1200 square feet it is packed with memories: I remember my children swinging on the swings in the backyard. I remember watching the Simpsons while we ate dinner from our laps. I remember Pete’s pizza nearly every Friday night. I remember Mondays at Mount Vernon Elementary. I remember Art on the Avenue, school plays, and concerts, proms and graduations. I remember Christmases and Halloweens: our front porch transformed into Hotel 666 and Frankenstein’s Workshop. I remember the cats. I remember the dogs. I remember the neighbors.

#### Snowpea Ct, Unit M, Alexandria (actually Fairfax) VA

Two bedroom,two bath third floor beach condo that is not at the beach. Swinging single’s pad with Cathedral ceilings, gas fireplace, balcony and community pool. The décor is eclectic, accented with Peacock paraphernalia, Alice in Wonderland prints, deep earth tones and bright colors. A kingdom of one, it is all Joani all the time, Mistress of my Domain. From this location I have launched each of my three adult children for the second and final time. And now I have a guest room for the very first time — ever. Here I make new memories: good ones and bad ones that I record on my Mac.

Yes, these walls can talk.

Now close your eyes and remember your own sacred places and holy spaces.

Remember the floor plans you can walk through even with your eyes closed.

Remember the bathrooms you can find without a night light.

Remember the bedrooms where you tossed and turned, gazed up at the moon, made love, and fell asleep.

Remember the kitchen counters where you unpacked the groceries, packed your kids lunches, and burned the toast.

Remember the dining room tables where turkeys were carved, wine glasses were clinked,  parents argued, and company overstayed their welcome.

Remember the basement rec rooms with the TV blasting, the transistor radio turned up loud, and board games missing pieces spilled all over the floor.

Close your eyes and remember. Remember each and every address. Map then out on a map. Take a walk, take off your shoes and walk through their doors.

God lived in all these places though you may not have known it. You may have entertained angels unawares.

Listen to the walls that can talk.

You are standing on holy ground.