American Heritage Homes

Custom Homes for Sale in St. George

Giving

book-1760993_1920

Thanksgiving is founded in paying tribute to Gods after the fall harvest, times of prosperity, merrymaking, and the often cited homeostatic bond between Native Americans and settlers establishing Plymouth. The history.com article presents a nice depiction of the history of Thanksgiving and its evolution to what exists today.  Additionally, Thanksgiving symbolizes, to many Native Americans, a time of blood shed, feud, and controversy that remains today, which is often overlooked by the now commercialized process. Furthermore, as the White House saw fit under the care of Franklin D. Roosevelt (1939) the economy needed spurring, which placed the holiday on the fourth Thursday of the month removing its place from the third Thursday. Let me get this straight…the holiday founded in God, harvest, well-being, healing went to “spurring the Great Depression.” It now is the marker of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, stampedes, tramples, deaths–I chose not to ad a link as to not promote glamorized tragedies. It seems there remains blood shed attached to what historically has been promoted as a prosperous, bountiful, God inspired experience.

pumpkin-pie-520655_1920

The other day when procuring the pumpkin pie at the local Costco, I found myself detached as there was, not a grateful feeling, but a selfish and self-centered energy running rampant through the over crowded warehouse–pushing, banging, narrowness of purpose. I found myself surging with feelings of sadness and empathy for those that live unconsciously, moving about like robots, mechanically, coldly meeting their objectives–missing opportunities. Walking the isles of the stores, whether it be Costco or your favorite Walmart, people move about with an obligatory purpose, often times, fulfilling what has become a commercialized string of holidays.

banner-1186625_1920

Here is where I will get a bit deep and philosophical as I am guilty of all these things mentioned, and to see the words spilled out as I type, presents an opportunity to me that I do not have to participate. Upon leaving the Costco, I was able to help an older lady, struggling with a heavy item, lift the item into her car and return her cart for her; return a calendar, sitting on a cart, someone had forgotten to pack in their car; and I offered my height to a wheelchair bound man at the Walmart the week before. I am not looking for accolades or congratulations, as this is not my intent–my intent is that we have a choice today in how we interact with one another. This choice, for me, has not always been conscious as I lived unconsciously for years. To use a cliche, and often times misunderstood, I had to die before I could wholly live. This certainly was the case for me that began this quest of :::Change::: beginning nearly seven years ago, and has brought about a new way of living life with rewards unimaginable.

drop-of-water-1302535_1280

To see how I can be part of the solution, I first had to acknowledge I was part of the problem–a difficult task for sure–however, one we all can contribute. This year has provided my family and I the opportunity to refine what life is, as there has been significant loss that changes ones perspective. In fact, should one be aware in times of difficulty, doors often times open allowing us the opportunity to step through them and take healthy risks. To be grateful, even in times of difficulty, is a daily practice as I believe it becomes a natural tendency for the mind to become negative, cynical, spiteful, selfish and self-centered. A daily practice of gratitude is needed to achieve an interconnection Thanksgiving promotes….do your part and remember this is water!

11-24-16

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Client Testimonials
  • Hi my name is Brion Egan and my wife is DeAnna. We are getting ready to retire and wanted to escape the cold Idaho winters that we experience here. We liked the St George area and it was close enough to home if we needed to come back for a day or two we could. We decided to build in Dixie Springs because it was close to a lot of different recreation and liked the neighborhood. We have a close family and when one plays all the kids and grandkids want to come and be apart of it too. We started our original home with American Heritage Homes in late spring of 2012. After interviewing several contractors I felt the most comfortable with Seth and Shem. They completed the home in excellent time and the workmanship and working relationship with them was excellent. Then, realizing after the first outing with our family we had under built and needed more bedrooms and room for the Grandkids, we needed to expand. I was able to buy the lot next to me and asked Seth and Shem to build me an addition onto the original home because we were so pleased with their work on the home. I was a general contractor in Idaho and have been involved in the construction industry for over 25 years. I new what I was looking for in a contractor. Most all contractors have the skills and ability to build and complete the project in a very acceptable manor. They might get to the finished product differently but they will get there never the less. It is the little things that separate Seth and Shem. The addition was very complicated because I did not want it to look like an addition. I wanted it to blend with the original home but yet I had certain ideas of what I needed. They walked with me from start to finish, starting with the design. Their input into the project was invaluable. There was constant communication with Shem during the construction process. He would always call me and ask if it was ok to proceed with a change if it became necessary, also I received several calls with him starting with, "Brion, I think we need to do this, or I really think it would look better if we did this, but always ending with I will do whatever you want. This and many other little things that go unnoticed is what made me so happy with them. Again, their ability to perform the work and their Honesty in their dealings is a fresh and unusual part of the construction industry. My wife Deanna summed it up in one sentence. "THEY ARE AWESOME." I would be glad to visit with anyone who has questions or is seriously considering American Heritage Homes for their next project, Seth or Shem have my number.

    Read More
    Brion Egan2012 Homeowner and 2013 Addition Renovation