Lake's Cross-Country Adventure

Lake’s Cross-Country Adventure By the team at Cardinal Group

My name is Lake. I am eight and ¼. (This is a very important age, my Mom says, but I'm still not old enough to stay home on my own.)

Today I am going with her to work at Cardinal Group HQ. Goodness gravy, do I adore that place!

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They do not study birds there (that was my first idea), but they do help people turn places all over the country into homes!

Do you know what I like to do when I go to work with my Mom? Run errands! She does things in her office in the morning, like typing A LOT or answering her phone.

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Today is very special, though! We get to go all over the country virtually to see communities for the team. The newest person on the team is me... Lake!

I got to visit Gather Uptown in North Carolina first. My Mom said something about “Turn” and that it was a busy time, to stay out of the way. But I am eight and ¼ and I can handle busy.

I started turning things like Mom said: beds, doorknobs, keyboards, anything I could see.

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“Lake - what are you doing! You’re making a mess and causing all sorts of trouble!” Mom shouted. “They need to clean these apartments for the next residents!”

I was trying to help and be a team player! I guess “turn” didn’t mean what I thought.

Next, we headed to Lodges in Baton Rouge. My Mom told me that this was a very big community, the biggest one at Cardinal!

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Our job here was to help lease apartments. After the turn mistake, I was nervous. But I am eight and ¼ and I know I can learn!

I followed Jessica, the leasing agent around while she showed a group the community. But, then I saw a big game room and decided to hang back and play. Surely if I could have fun, I could tell the college students that they could have fun too if they lived at the Lodges.

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“Lake - where are you?” Mom yelled. “Everyone has been looking for you.” Mom was not happy.

I was trying to be adventurous and create fun. But instead I made them all worry.

Our next spot was Copper Beech Greenville. I was so excited about this one because the beach is my favorite, but when I got there, I couldn’t find the ocean anywhere! Then I saw the pool and I thought to myself, this can be my beach today!

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Mom says Copper Beech has new team members, and we are here to help with training. I love to learn, and since I am eight and ¼ I knew I would catch on very quickly.

When I heard the nice lady teaching the class say: “What time would you like to take a tour”? I was so excited, I wanted to tour! I jumped up and yelled “Now! I would like to take a tour now, please!”

I caught my mother’s look from the corner of my eye, uh oh! Mom does not look happy.

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Before we left Copper Beech, the nice lady from the class made sure to give me my tour, and the best part was that I got ice cream at the end. As I ate my ice cream I thought, everyone must love the place that gives you ice cream, I guess it’s a lot like the beach after all.

After an eight hour drive we arrived in a small town in Indiana, Pennsylvania. As my mom drove through the gates, I saw a big sign that said “Traverse Commons.” I quickly realized this was not like all the other communities that we had visited before.

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The weather was rainy and dreary, which meant we would be stuck inside.

I gathered up some supplies that I found around the office while Mom was in a meeting. First, I found some pink post-it notes at the front desk. Then I found some paper clips, tape, paper, scissors, and yarn.

I worked hard all afternoon and made the most delightful hanging flowers to give to the residents! I sure hope they like them! It may be raining but my Mom says I bring sunshine wherever I go.

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What does sunshine help grow? Plants.

I think the world would be a better place if we all had a little more sunshine, flowers, and unlimited office supplies.

Next, we went to Chicago, Illinois. There were a lot of tall buildings there. The community we visited was a beautiful red brick building. Mom told me that it was 100 years old. Wow!

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While Mom met with the team, I wanted to do my part in giving the community a full visit. I wanted to see every floor. One of the friendly leasing team members said they would go with me. We got in the elevator and I hit every button because I was so excited!

We saw a lot of nice residents and I smiled and said hello to each of them. Mom was impressed that we saw so much of the community! I was determined to do my part in making sure it was a great place to live.

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After our visit in Chicago, mom decided to head to Michigan. Michigan is known for their Great Lakes, which is super awesome since my name is Lake!

Mom said that I could give someone a tour at Locale, which is in Allendale, Michigan. I showed them how to use all the things they offered, even a touch screen coffee machine. Mom said I couldn’t have any coffee.

Does she know I’m eight and ¼?

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I was taught what a “gotta say” is, which means I’ve gotta say a certain thing. Near the end of the tour mom said, “What’s our last gotta say, Lake?” I exclaimed, “Let’s get your application started!” Mom looked proud of me for remembering.

What an amazing trip around the country! As I awaited my flight from O’Hare Airport to back home, I reflected on the last few weeks and realized something amazing...I am eight and ½ now!

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I feel like I have grown and learned so much in the past few days. So much can happen in such a short amount of time and I am excited to continue to change and learn about new ideas.

I will alway remember this adventure and know that I will be so much more grown up… when I am 8 and ¾.

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