I am writing to express deepest condolences to the residents of Fortunes Rocks. Last month, I had the grave misfortune of having a front-row seat at the tearing down of a classic seaside home. Its former owner was a longstanding, well respected neighbor. I stood in awe and disbelief as this grand home was crushed to pieces by a mammoth excavator. The scraps, which incidentally included a baby grand piano, were scooped up, loaded into three semi-tractor trailers and hauled off to the landfill.

Throughout the three days of the event I commiserated with many resident passersby. With wide eyes, jaws dropped, hands over their faces and more than one individual in tears asking “why?”

How could we answer that question except to say that is what the buyers chose to do for whatever reason, and that is their right. There was no wrongdoing. And, of course, we do not imagine they should consider the responses of those who watched a friend’s home crushed to pieces.

This letter is merely to bring attention to the presence and the value of human emotion. This is to inform others that, for many, this event was an intrusion of the highest degree. And, to many, the absence of this lovely home is a staggering loss.

Peg Eves
West Chesterfield, N.H.