“Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work’s important, family’s important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You’re cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what’s coming.” ― Three Weeks with My Brother
“Anticipation is the heart of wisdom. If you are going to cross a desert, you anticipate that you will be thirsty, and you take water.”
— Mark Helprin
“Anticipation is no longer needed- because the moment is now.” — David Levithan
Anticipation, that place on the edge of…something new, unknown, planned for or not, moment in time where time both hurls forward and stands still. We all know the feeling. We’ve been there for just over 38 years.
It was May of 1988 when we moved into the Stenbuchel House in Wichita, Kansas. A property on the List of Kansas Historic Places, I remember the first morning I woke up in my dream home: windows wide open on a beautiful May morning. The birds greeted me as I opened my eyes, welcoming me back to Kansas, my birthplace.
We had spent the week preparing the house to move into, awaiting the arrival of our household goods from California. They arrived and unloaded the day before, in just enough time to set up our bed. Much remained to do, but we were home. In my morning devotions, I read this:
“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” – Isaiah 58:12
This verse resonated in my very being, and continues to do so. This is what I cling to in anticipation.
Thirty-eight Years Of Anticipation
We knew we had taken on a serious project, but it felt right. We also knew we had a lot to learn. Did we know how much? Of course not! That is not how life works. There were steps, detours, delays, and frustrations. Nothing new under the sun.
We’ve had fun, been scared, and disappointed. Along the way, the anticipation has quietly propelled us in the background of daily life. It was there:
- When offered and took a position in Brussels, Belgium.
- In 2000, as I said adieu to my father, mother-in-law, and other significant family members
- As I was based out of Texas for over a decade, through 911 and beyond
- As health issues and COVID got in the way
- Helping us pay off debt and pile up cash
Behind each step, obstacle, and surprise, anticipation moved us forward. It moved us forward in dreaming, imagining, and planning. I filled notebooks with ideas, watched home restoration shows, and prayed.
Anticipation No Longer Needed
About sixteen months ago, I sensed it was “now or never”. I reconnected with the Kansas State Historic Preservation staff, developed a Scope of Work document, and issued bids. Responses disappointed. Then a storm hit, bringing the usual flurry of roofers looking to cash in on insurance claims. We shooed them away, except..
One company specializing in slate and tile contacted us. We started the process: estimates, insurance, preservation planner coordination, engineering, and inspections. That was ten months ago, but as this BLOG goes to press, the house is being enshrouded in scaffolding. The roof redo is underway. Click here to see a short video.
In the meantime, we have found the right project manager and general contractor for the masonry, windows, and beyond.
The Difference?
Anticipation is past; the moment is now, at least for phase 1: the replacement of the slate roof, copper valleys, and downspouts. The planning stage for Phase II – masonry, foundation, and windows – and interface with new mechanical systems and porches – has begun. Phase III – the interior stuff, the really fun stuff, looms in the land of anticipation.
Excitement is now. I choose to enjoy the process, even the yet unseen bumps, of seeing dreams turn into reality. Faith becoming sight, as the old hymn says.
Anxiety has no place here. Why? Anxiety has fear behind it. We have prayed, we have planned, we have the green light that says:
“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” – Isaiah 58:12
Documenting this project is one of the reasons I began this BLOG. Let me know your questions, comments, and thoughts.