The year was 1982. Joan Lee contacted an old high school classmate, Dan Ahner, and purchased property on Kelleys Island with the intent of building a family gathering place. She and her husband Jim drew up plans and secured contractors.
Before ground broke, Jo was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and passed away. For Jim, the dream of a summer home died too. He lost all interest in the island project, changing the subject if it was ever mentioned. However, he held on to the property, going so far as refusing offers to sell. We lost Jim in 2010 and as part of the estate, Mike ended up with the land on Kelleys Island. At the time, we were living in the Pacific Northwest and thought of the island only when the property taxes were due.
In the home of our son and daughter-in-law hangs a sign that reads
“Life takes you to some interesting places, but love brings you home.”
In 2017 we moved 2395 miles back to where our family began, to be closer to our sons and their families. Blame it on age, the distance of the move or perhaps both of us starting new jobs but, we didn’t take a vacation until 2019. Luann was the catalyst (chemistry teacher, catalyst, OK never mind) securing a rental home, large enough for 7 of us, on Kelleys for a week.
That was the tipping point. We laid the cards out on the table and said to the kids “If you like it here, we will build, otherwise the lot goes up for sale.” So, here we are, on our Peace of the Rock.