Today I remember a favorite house sold, a favorite client -- Carl Trehus. Todd, I am thinking of you.
The house as newly vanilla built in the 80s before Carl's landscaping. Courtesy of his family.
The house after Carl's landscaping, as listed for sale over 20 years later in 2009.
It was an interesting first phone call. I recall it vividly and I treasure every word he said, but I'm not sharing because it involves others who need to remain nameless and the way it began needs to be our secret to my grave, too. God works in mysterious ways...
Carl was a member of the Citizen's Fire Academy in Grapevine where my husband is a fire fighter. Carl also lived in our old neighborhood. Carl wasn't just a member of the academy, he was like, the ring leader. The head cheerleader. Their biggest fan. Their party starter. Their water bottle provider. The Breakfast with Santa pancake flipper. The first one on the scene. He was a good hearted man who had his well intentioned hands in everything 911 related.
And he wasn't just a neighbor, he always made sure to buy the best stuff at my garage sales, like the ceramic Christmas tree my mom was selling that she did back in the 80s when it was cool to have a kiln and do your own ceramics at home. Forget you have a thousand degree oven by your kids... it was COOL! And he bought that thing right up and chatted me up about it everytime I saw him, "I can't believe your mom sold that, Kristen, it's just gorgeous..." And he was right. It matched his Americana decor perfectly.
Moreover, he helped construct my son's memorial playground at Parr Park and naturally anyone who helped that day took their needle and thread and sewed me right back together again and you can't cut that cord.
Needless to say, he holds a very special set of memories for me and I am very sad he's gone. I absolutely could throw my husband's phone with that note on it straight to the pool... along with the last memory I have of calling to beg ask Carl for referral business. I wanted other sellers just like him. I admit it. I confess. How can you carbon copy your favorite client? Ask for their friends! I can't believe our last conversation was me on my knees begging... what a dork. So his cruise story was a far better topic! What a whale tale to make it through that then not this.
But I digress... He also happened to have one amazing piece of real estate. He was a gardener. Like his citizen's fire academy involvement, his garden was no half done deal. Featured in the news and in magazines and toured by professional gardeners allover, his was designed to be both low maintenance and water preserving. It looked like the highest maintenance lot on the block, but, in reality, it was a cinch by design. Very impressive. Very easy sale. Not to mention the newer H/AC, radiant barrier roof, low E Argon windows, tankless water heater -- there were so many green features on this house it's no wonder it had a green garden and pale green exterior paint, to boot. Inside the home was equally as picture perfect.
I sold it. It's one of my favorite houses ever. I lived in that community for three years as I built my little family and eventually built my little business. With two in diapers at the time, a layoff struck. I worked for Verizon and Manhatten was the biggest book. The wave of layoffs after 911 beached me like a whale. Then all kinds of unthinkable tragedies. 2003 -- my personal year of Job.
So I sought refuge in a new passion, in a new real estate career. I would work late at night -- some things haven't changed -- making items to send to all the neighbors quarterly at max, generally monthly, and his is the only sale I had in the neighborhood. The single fruit of all that labor. And it could not have been one bite sweeter. Except for the whole candy bars he gave out at Halloween -- maybe those were sweeter.
I know, I know, shut up. The little devil on my shoulder is saying it probably wasn't even a fruit of your labor, anyway, it was a can of mixed fruit from Citizen's Fire Academy ties, mushy old memories and maybe a cherry on top was some of the late night sweat and toil you did, Dearie. Regardless, I can honestly say if I had to pick one single house to sell in my old neighborhood or one single client to work with, it would be the one I had. I admire Carl. There are so many things he said and did that I reflect on regularly and they make me feel good inside. There's just nothing like being around someone so darn amazing. I will always think of you fondly.
This weekend as I give thanks to our soldiers who died for our freedom, I will also remember another man who has died, but in his life he lived for numerous causes and countless good deeds... Carl Trehus, this tribute is for you. Brooke and I will plant some flowers in your honor this Memorial Day.
Carl's service is at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine at 2:00 Saturday located at Wall and Ball.
