Lemons and Lemonade

La Casa de Maria retreat center has a special place in our hearts. Don and I were married in their chapel 17 years ago. Many of our wedding photos were taken there both inside and out. It was all nearly destroyed during the January mudslide. They lost nine buildings and are still trying to decide whether to tear down the church (cheaper) or reconstruct what’s left.

Imagine our surprise to receive an invitation from La Casa for a post-debris flow site tour and reception. Director emerita Stephanie Glatt was there to greet us. Many friends and neighbors gathered in groups of 25 for a sad but hopeful tour. In spite of the before photos and the “after” in front of our eyes, it was hard to remember what it used to look like. Due to hundreds of walks through the property over the years, the small creek bed had become a “Grand Canyon.” I took many pictures, but they don’t seem to show what it’s really like. Workers removed 20 truckloads of trees and branches. There’s a mountain of boulders stacked. And on and on.

What’s really sad is La Casa had all been renovated just a short time before the debacle. They’re making lemonade out of lemons and starting over. They hope to have the center open by Sunday, July 15. It won’t be finished by any means, but it’s a start.

The lemon “aid” comes by serving on a committee, being a part of the visioning process, bringing friends to a future La Casa event, making a contribution to La Casa, or hosting a fundraiser. You can contact Diane Dale (805) 436-4212 or check out development@lcdm.org. As we were leaving the “party,” we got to take home lemons from the Casa so we could make our own lemonade.