NEIGHBORHOOD
A volunteer force of 25+ tackled this year’s Earth Day project at Jacobson Park, which included invasive species removal and new native tree planters. Friends of Jacobson Park report, “At the time this was planted, the neighborhoods around the park were being developed. Callery/Bradford Pears were on the approved street tree list for developers because it was marketed as being sterile and unable to reproduce. They were cheap and almost all neighborhoods chose the pretty but stinky ecological disaster. It was a Jurassic Park nightmare horticulturally that happened after that, and our park has suffered dearly for it. The trees are illegal
to plant in many states now, and communities like Lexington offer buyback/free tree exchange programs to get you to remove your Callery Pear Trees to replace with another tree… The trees cross-breed and create the hybridized Pear. They produce thorns that many of us have evidence of on our bodies this evening! These invasive trees along with invasive honeysuckle took over this area and became populated with more of the invasives who outcompete our natives that were planted originally.” A big neighborhood thank-you to the friends and neighbors who help keep Jacobson Park beautiful!
I stood in front of my house and smiled and screamed with joy over these finds. Just a few days ago, I thought I could only cry when standing here. My joy is different right now than it was one week ago. It’s so simple. It’s basic. And you know what, I don’t hate it. It has reminded me over and over again of what’s important in life. Don’t get me wrong. I have been sad and devastated but I can work through it by leaning into simplicity.
So I’m trusting in this process. I’m trusting that God saved me and my family so we can continue to help and serve others.
Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
February 4, 2025
Word of the Day: Uncertainty
Finding out what happened to our house brought some relief, but also a lot of uncertainty. We had many questions and feared that we might have unknowingly caused such a devastating event. The investigator confirmed that it was an electrical fire that started in the basement. It smoldered inside the walls for a long time (this is why smoke detectors didn’t go off initially) before reaching and melting a gas line in the wall. The fire accelerated inside the wall and melted the basement door, allowing the fire to spread out and up. It then hit the propane tank on the grill, triggering what sounded like an explosion. We feel fortunate that it wasn’t a mistake we made, but there’s still uncertainty because there is not a clear, preventable cause we can easily avoid or warn others about.
This experience has made me think more about uncertainty in general. We all live with it. We never know what any given day may bring. When we went to bed, we had no idea our lives would change so drastically the next morning. Life is unpredictable like that. Every day is a gift, and I want to learn to embrace that perspective daily. This has been a huge wake-up call, and I don’t want to lose sight of the lessons learned.
I like having control, but the truth is, I’m not in control. Uncertainty is part of life, and that I cannot change.
Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
February 6, 2025
Word of the Day: Vulnerability
The Friday before the fire, Kitty and I recorded a podcast with Dr. Jennifer Degler about stress and anxiety. At that moment, I made the conscious choice to be vulnerable and share that I, too, have experienced anxious feelings and overwhelming stress in my life in the past. The pandemic, particularly in 2020/2021, fueled those feelings,
and I sought help from Dr. Degler during that time. Her counseling had an enormous positive impact on me, and I am incredibly grateful for the guidance she provided. Our goal with that episode was to help others who might be dealing with stress, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. Little did I know that just days later, I would face the most significant challenge of my life. And yet, here I am, with someone I trust—Dr. Degler— helping me navigate through this new, different, and difficult experience. I’ve already returned to counseling, and it feels like the right step for me.
I choose to see this experience as a calling to do more. We don’t have all the answers to what that might be but we are listening.
TI hope my story can still offer some comfort and encouragement to those of you who may be struggling with similar feelings of anxiety. Please remember: mental health is just as important as physical health. It’s not something to be ashamed of, and seeking help when you need it is a courageous and crucial step in healing. You don’t have to face these challenges alone.
February 7, 2025
Word of the Day: Memories
Today, demolition began. I went this morning to say goodbye, and I was overwhelmed with memories. I didn’t want to watch the house come down, so I left. Instead, I chose to focus on the good memories we created here. I thought about all the meals I cooked in our kitchen, bringing Annie and Alex home from the hospital, the birthday parties and celebrations, the dance parties and cookouts on the deck, the Friday night hangouts with friends, and the holidays we celebrated together. Even when the walls come down, I’ll always have those memories.
I’ve realized it’s the memories we make that truly matter. They stay with us, and no one can ever take them away.
February 26, 2025
Words of the Day: Fresh Start
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been one month since the fire.Today marks a new beginning, a cleared lot with an opportunity to rebuild and plan for the future.
There were times when I found myself asking, “Why me?” or wondering how something so rare could happen to us. But I let those thoughts pass. That’s all they are…thoughts. Instead, I’m changing that narrative in my brain. It’s not about “why me,” but “yes, me.” I can do this. I have a fresh start. I have the power to make positive changes, to rebuild, and to grow. My family is here on this Earth for a reason, and that reason is to make this world better. I refuse to see myself as a victim;
his will be my last post of this nature. Going forward, I’ll return to my regular programming. However, I do promise to share what we’ve learned along the way — from fire safety to insurance tips to being prepared for the unexpected down the road. Kitty and I even have plans for a podcast to share all this education in one place. But I want to share it in a condensed manner moving forward so it can be a great resource for anyone to have.
But before I close this chapter, I want to say thank you. Thank you to every single person who has supported us during this incredibly difficult time. From the donations, food, clothing, and the love that carried us through, we couldn’t have made it without you. Every phone call, text message, and prayer has meant more than words can express. The power of community is real, and I’ve felt it every step of the way. I talk about social connection being important for longevity and now I have lived why that is true. You all are the reason we’ve been able to weather this storm. Thank you for showing up for us and showing the power of love.
The Starting Gate is available on Spotify and Apple. Among the podcasts available now are recent interviews featuring fire safety and insurance.
Dr. Katherine Dotson and Dr. Sarah Schuetz are Lexington physicians. They host ‘The Starting Gate Podcast,’ where they share evidence-based advice and practical tips on nutrition, exercise, and stress management tailored to busy Kentuckians.
Three enterprising students from Frederick Douglass High School beat out local college teams in a “Shark Tank” style competition.
Congratulations to Charlie Bickel on his Best Teammate Award at Henry Clay High School’s basketball banquet. (Pictured with proud parents Annette Jett and Frank Bickel.)
Sixth District Councilwoman Denise Gray welcomed the Academies of Frederick Douglass High School Cheerleading Squad to City Hall to present a proclamation to them and recognize them individually for placing 2nd at Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) Large Varsity Division 1.
