IT'S GREAT TO BE HOME!

It's finally real! In December, 2001, the first group of households
moved into Cornerstone, with the rest occupying their new homes
in the Spring of 2002. Much of that year we focused on settling in, furnishing the common areas, developing common meal systems,
beginning to work on landscaping, creating workspaces and
gathering areas, and pursued many other efforts toward manifesting
our dreams. What an incredible high after all the years of planning.

In 2003, we saw many of our objectives come into clearer focus
as we got more "practice" in living together. This allowed us
to refine and improve our ways of doing things -- an ongoing process
of community evolution. The grounds around our buildings began
to show the fruits of the previous year's work, which encouraged
even more progress. We also began connecting to our North Cambridge neighbors, and we invited many of them to a barbeque
at the Coho. Some of our members became involved in neighborhood
activities, giving us other ways of getting to know and participating
in our larger community.

Late 2003 and early 2004 saw a big baby boom! We welcomed
five new babies in as many months, and it became a delightfully
regular sight to see infants being passed from one eager "baby
holder" to another during common meals. Sadly, we also experienced several crises. In the spring of 2004 we lost a beloved member of the community, and another in July. While we all wish such difficulties had not happened, the ways in which we have supported and cared for one another have deepened our bonds to each other.

With every year, we become stronger. And we are eager to meet the future together.