Having a little faith...

I always seem to get involved in one investment or another with the idea that "this will become a real gold mine!". Then it turns into a nightmare. Then, with a little work and, well, hard work, it starts to take off. When Tom and I first started to look into buying some real estate down here on the Gulf Coast, I'm not sure we really had much of an idea as to what we wanted. For sure we wanted it to produce a little income and grow in value, but I didn't really give much thought to whether it should be short term or long term rental. So now we have these great little spots at the beach, that even though they are very humble, they have the potential to be cute and cozy. Both need to have the bathrooms totally gutted and updated, but for the $60 a night that they are currently listed for, they will do for now. For some reason, even though the units are identical, I like one more than the other. And the one that is my favorite is the one with all of the problems that have been keeping us pouring more and more money into it, with no return and no relief on the horizon. How is that possible? It must be like having two dogs, both cute and sweet and loving, one, for one reason or another, becomes your favorite and that is the one that poops on the floor, chews up expensive shoes and tears the place up while you're gone. Yet you can't help but find some redeeming quality that keeps you in love, that keeps you continually cleaning up the messes and trying to overcome that blasted thought to cut and run. I believe it is a matter of....wait for it.... having a little faith. I still have faith that one day these little money suckers will pay off. I still believe that my offspring will benefit from our investment and find joy in having a spot near the beach. I cling to the hope that my loved ones currently residing in the Great North West will one day come to the Deep South for a visit and want to hang out and swim in the surf, walk the beach at sunset, eat crappy fried food while watching the waves and stay until they are exhausted from all of the fun and relaxation. I pray that these potential little gems will one day generate enough money to send airfare to my family of six so they can come to see how I live and maybe get an understanding of why it would be so hard for me to live where it gets freezing cold and winter bites to the bone. My brother, Kay, and his two sons recently came for a visit; more of a whirlwind tour than anything since they never seemed to get off the road long enough to really experience this place. Kay commented that we live in a resort...yes, we live in a resort. It's a great way to spend these years when the aches and pains of just getting out of bed, from years of hard work and daily abuse are taking their toll on this old body. The air is warm and moist and friendly. The temperatures are warm and soothing. When it gets too warm, too hot, to get out and about, we have the luxury of air conditioning that, even when set to 80 degrees cools me down enough to want a sweater. I love my little Miata convertible with its sporty looks and quick agility. I love that my little great-granddaughter wants to ride with the top down. I love it that every need I have can be fulfilled within a few minutes drive....every need that is except the need to be with my family. I have faith, that one day, before I die, I will be able to walk out my door and get a hug from my grandchildren, spend some time cooking with them, talking stories and relating the oral history of this crazy family. Oh oh, I need to quit this tack...my eyes are blurring with tears of want and yearning for what I don't have. I need to focus on all that I do have. Thankfully, with a little faith, God provides all that I need.