Transformation
Up at the north end on our side of the street sat a dark, decrepit, fenced in house for many years. Dead trees and dry hedges stood against the rusted and crumpled wire fence to seal this house from the nosy. The kids called this the haunted house. If you peeked through the dead foilage anyway, you see the house was made of fallen steps, chipped brick and broken windows. The house looked old, dirty and neglected. You'd think someone smeared wet clay and mud all over the house and windows then left it to dry. But full green garbage bags sat on the sidewalk in front of the house on garbage days. Sure signs of human habitation.
A few years back, some neighbours and I organized an annual street party. We notified all the neighbours of the date and set to making it happen. For three years in a row, we received nasty notes from the haunted house, accusing us of being homophobic. Huh? What, how, why did they say that? Who were these people? Turns out the date we chose for our street party - Saturday of the Summer Solstice, always coincided with Gay Pride Day so the residents of this house had to attend the parade and could not take part in the street party. They told us this in the last note they sent us. Yet, I wonder why in previous years they did not volunteer to be on our planning committee to help set the date for the street party since we put out a call for volunteers six months in advance. And are we not faced with choices everyday? They chose the parade over the street party. Why not enjoy that instead of complain?
This year, the house was suddenly cleared of debris. The dead trees and plants were taken away. The house was repaired and cleaned. New plants were put in. Over this past year, the house has been transformed. It now stands bright and beautiful with no fences. Baskets of fruit and flowers often sit at the door, beckoning passersby to knock. I still don't know who lives there.
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The fact that the exterior of the house is cleaned up portends several possibilities. One, they've finally came out of their depression and decided that enough was enough and refused to live in a state of perpetual decrepitude. Second, it's an attempt to join the neighborhood and the human race. Three, they've moved away from the homophobic tensions of the street and new people have moved in. At any rate, you should plan the next party on a separate day from Gay Pride day. There may be more than 1 house facing the same dilemma. You may have a larger and more interesting turnout next year. I find gay people very creative and fun loving; certainly a desirable addition to any party
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