2020 was both extremely challenging and full of silver linings. It began for me with two of my favorite things- adventure and travel.
In February, I travelled to Tanzania and climbed Kilimanjaro with a group of friends after months of training. An emotional climb full of physical and psychic highs and lows and though I did not summit, it was an opportunity to reflect on the entirety of the journey.
Upon our return from this adventure, everyone's world paused when we sheltered in place. Perhaps, I did not grasp the enormity of how this would change our lives forever. Up until this time, I had been an empty nester. Post SIP, both of my children came home to live with me and study from their bedrooms. In May, my daughter graduated from university, not in front of thousands, but on our deck. During these months, we had big, deep conversations, cooked many meals together, made art, did puzzles, and took long hikes. In short, my adultish children and I got reacquainted with this precious new found time.
Where normally I would be taking several trips aboard to some far flung destination, I had the immense privilege of exploring the beautiful corners of Marin on my bike or on foot. It is a gift to have so much abundance of nature steps from my door.
As I wondered what would come next during those early days, I reached out to friends and family by phone or Zoom for long conversations and reconnected meaningfully with many. I was able to help a neighbor with weekly grocery shopping during the first few months when some were not venturing out. The Awesome Foundation , a philanthropic group I am a part of, pivoted our giving to locally support the food insecure and underrepresented groups. And, I was able to help with Bags of Love, a group that provides food for Marin families.
In late April, real estate was deemed an essential service, so my business which had been on hold came roaring back. A listing I had been preparing for market came on in the early days of May, and received 13 offers selling for 14% over the asking price. The home received so much attention that a reporter for Bloomberg News wrote about it and I was quoted in an article about The Mad Rush from San Francisco. That mad rush has not abated as this pandemic has had so many reevaluate where they want to call home. This has been a banner year professionally for me and I am thrilled to have helped multiple sellers realize large gains from selling their homes quickly by preparing them using Compass Concierge and Buyers leveraging every opportunity to gain access into the Marin market. And, this market doesn’t seem like it will slow down in 2021 as people continue to move from denser urban areas to Marin and beyond.
There is much gratitude for this year and what it has shown me - acceptance, tolerance, patience and humility. My heart goes out to the many individuals and small businesses that have been affected by this pandemic and I will continue to support those individuals and businesses in my community. 2020 has pointed a laser light on what is important- health, family, friendship, home and most of all Love always. To a New Year and to hope and gratitude. To 2021 seen with 2020 vision!