theB.I.T.C.H.

October 5th, 2014 by Jan

When Chris and Elizabeth made an offer on our house a few months ago, along with the offer, they sent us a letter.

Our realtor read it to us and I have to say it meant a lot to us.

The letter was somewhat personal in that they told us who they were, and what they liked about the house and the plans they had for it. It was nice.

The real estate game is horrible in my opinion. I feel this way mostly because we are not allowed to be involved. Everything is put into the realtors hands and we are to step aside. We cannot meet or talk to potential buyers. For me, besides waiting, this is the worst part of the entire deal.

So, getting a letter from the potential buyers was nice, it crossed that line and we made a small connection.

Since then, I’ve been meaning to write back.

I want to tell them the story of this house as we know it. I think it would be nice if they knew some of the history of the Bowen Island Tai Chi House, because really this place is special.

So,

Dear Chris and Elizabeth,
I first want to say that receiving your letter with the offer to buy our house was lovely. Thank you for it. In return, let me tell you a little about our home.

The first time I saw this house was in 1994. I came to participate in a five day tai chi workshop hosted by my teacher, and then owner of the house, Sam Masich.

The place was a mess. Actually, it was more like a flop house for young men training in the marital arts, than a home. The house was filled with serious martial artists; training, eating and sleeping in every nook and cranny. I was excited to be a part of it all.

It was my idea to move here. I thought it would be great if my husband, Ken fix up the house, and I could work and study full time with Sam. It took two years to work out the details, but that is exactly what we did.

In 1996 we bought half of the house. Sam and his partner lived downstairs, Ken and I moved upstairs. I worked for Sam as his assistant and Ken started fixing up the place.

We bought the entire house from Sam three or four years later. We love living here, this has been a wonderful home for us.

The Bowen Island Tai Chi House earned its name. In the 18 years, we have lived here, and several years before that with Sam, the house has has been a classroom and retreat for hundreds of martial artists, attending annual seminars, intensives, and camps.

Incredible people, from all over the world, have shared their experience, skill and laughter in almost every room of this house. The training field out back is solid with stories.

I do hope one day we will be able to chat with each other. Ken and I would loved to walk you around the place, tell our stories, and hear your plans for life on Bowen Island.

In the mean time, we send good wishes for your house in NM to sell. (I grew up in Los Alamos, NM, hence the artwork you noticed.)

It is an amazing journey turning our home into a house for someone else. I know your journey of making this house your next home will be as interesting.

Good luck as we all move forward,
Jan and Ken Parker

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