This was Grand Heron, seems like a million years ago. Actually, it was almost 3 years.
She was an amazing place. Filled to the rim with gorgeous interiors. Clients have become old dear friends in this building we love each and every one of you.
Then, on December 3rd (2007) I think it was, it started getting nasty outside..they said high coastal winds..nothing big, because if there were a real warning of high winds, my Dad would have put the braces on the front windows..he has done it more than once, for sure..He's prepared like that...Little did we know how a little wind would affect the next 3 years of our lives.
It really kind of stings to see these photos. The shop was poised for another wonderful Christmas season, filled to the gills with wonderful winter wonderland garlands and lovlies, I remember how fantastic it looked after we got done decorating. The winds reached 130 here on the coast that night. Grand Heron's roof was torn off like a sheet of paper toweling. Just rolled off into the parkinglot. It was raining inside the store when my parents got the call to come down because the windows were blown out. It was about 4 in the morning when I got the call.
It was from my mother. I was wide awake anyway, Steve was in charge down at the Post Office that day and they had also called him in. I was a nervous wreck just thinking that HE was going to be out in this weather driving to work, now I have my parents out there, too. They all described the scene as complete chaos. Everything that wasnt nailed down was flying through the air. Trees, phone poles, garbage cans, you name it. People lost their lives in this storm here on the harbor.
The fire department was at Grand Heron when my parents arrived. There wasnt a thing anyone could do with the wind whipping at those speeds. Even thinking of trying to board up the windows was out of the question. Mortification was all I could hear on the end of the phone line when I picked it up that early morning. My mom was hysterical. Im shaking even thinking about that night typing this.
Every person in my family..My parents home, my sisters home, my brothers home and our home all received roof damage from that storm. It didnt just affect us, either..Grays Harbor was devistated.. I mean devistated. We had no heat, no lights, no anything for days. What we really didnt have was doppler. There wasnt really any warning of this storm, the 100 year storm, they called it. Steve and I and the kids went and got our Christmas tree that day. Do you really think sensible Lisa would have taken her most treasured treasures out in a storm like that....no..it got a little blustery on that trip..I remember Steve and I looking at eachother when we were out in the tree field..It was that, we need to get going look...Its crazy to think of...lordy.
Anyway, this is about the shop. We have been in a less than lovely rental since Early 2008. The last few years have been like a nightmare. Devistation on top of recession.
and guess what....its not going to be much longer ..
one thing I do know for sure..Family is everything.
EVERYTHING. to the millionth degree..and then some. Its been some kind of an adventure..its not over yet, but.....
Pictures of the new and improved and drastically SUAVE
GRAND HERON
soon...like, tomorrow.
Promise..
