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As painful as it is, it’s time to move on.  For the next two months I will be looking back, reminiscing of memories past.

Fourteen years ago, I placed an ad on Craigslist (yes, Craigslist!) and it read, "Fabulous gay guy, looking for a fabulous apartment in a fabulous community."  One of the replies I received, "You need to check out my apartment!"

It’s important to mention, two years prior I had moved back to Baltimore from Phoenix, Arizona.  At that time, it was necessary I find something quickly because I was starting a new job as a Project Manager at a clinical research firm in Towson.  The apartment I found, a unit labeled 3D at the Gilman Apartments in Charles Village was nice enough, but it lacked character.  It was in a convenient location, but it didn’t make me happy, thus my ad.

What would become my new home was located in the lovely neighborhood of Tuscany-Canterbury.  I had lived in this community prior to moving to Phoenix, but when I returned, I was unable to find an apartment there I liked.

However, when I first walked into what would be the "the place where I was meant to be", I immediately knew I was in a special building because of the people I met (many of them older and retired – I love my seniors because they teach me so much).  The unit I was to look at was on the top floor of a three-floor walkup.  I got to the top of the stairs, walked down a hallway, making a right to a shorter hallway to end up at a door with the unit number D3.  That was the omen I was looking for.  The letter and digit needed to be transposed in order for me to find the right apartment.  I was finally home, renting a wonderful condo in a nice building.

I can’t deny, there have been many challenges along the way, which was to be expected because the building is greater than 100 years old, but having a responsible, practical landlady has made all the difference in the world.

People have said, "If you love your condo so much, why don’t you buy it?!"  The 20 year old in me says, "YES!"  My 56 year old self (I just had a birthday) says, "No way!"  As a younger person, I never cared about how something worked or how good it was.  When I wanted it… I got it!  When it fell apart, I discarded it and moved on.  Age, time and wisdom have taught me so much.  At this stage of my life that’s not how my brain works.  The building I live in needs much love and care – a new roof, repointing and a new heating system, and that will eventually require a special assessment.  The latter is a deal breaker.  I’ve also become a recent fan of central air conditioning, something I haven’t had in 16 years.

So, here I am, counting down to D-Day.  Each day is a struggle because things are changing fast, and I have lived this tiny little life in my building with some pretty awesome neighbors who became my friends, and ultimately my family.  To leave them is hard, very hard.

We are a quirky group – loving and kind.  We look out for each other.  We have many things in common, especially container gardening.  What I will miss most is mornings on the fire escape with my ladies, discussing current events and "neighborhood stuff".  Ours is a special bond.  Our lives have been so enriched.  I know mine has been, and I am a better man for it.  We stop to smell the roses and we always encourage others to do the same.

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