From the Downtowner Newspaper
Ms. Smith, the First Lady of French ST NW has been long overdue for a sign from God or a moment of peace and joy to offset all the moments of loss and despair. On Nov 21, 2006, Herdina Smith got her moment - and what a big moment it was for her and those who love her.
Nine years ago, John Bratton purchased his first house in the city at 905 French ST NW where he met this amazin elderly couple Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Smith. It didn't take long before john adoped the darling seniors as his parents in the city. Mr. Smith "Pops" aka "The Mayor of the street", was the identical image if Johns memory of his own father that was killed in a car accident when he was only 3 years of age. This image was one of caring, giving, strength, wisdom and most of all the one of love of family. Long story short, for the first time in 30 years, John found another man deserving of the title "Pops". Over the next several years, Mr. & Mrs. Smith lost family member after family member to tragic medical and unfortunate circumstances. To make matters worse, like so many of our DC seniors, their financial burdens were just impossible to bare. The government talks allot about taking care of our military veterans and senior but the reality is drastically different. Bratton became determined to keep them in the home and care for them for life.
Mr. Smith "Pops" died of cancer two years ago at the VA hospital. In John's last visit on the eve of his passing, Mr. Smith said "thank God we found our son!" His last request was to take care of Mrs. Smith. It was a devestating loss to the family and community. Mrs. Smith has remained at 901 French St up until August 2006. She has been relocated 3 months while John Bratton has gutted and totally re-designed and renovated the home from top to bottom into a two-unit property. The upper unit is for Ms. Smith to spend the rest of her life in a very peaceful and beautiful space just for her. This gorgeous unit is like a high end condo at no charge that is complete stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, breathe-taking granite kitchen counter top with breakfast bar, wonderful fixtures and an awesome bathroom. The layout is just perfect for the senior, she has a large foyer area to receive guests and just sit and chat without climbing the stairs to her upper level apartment. The unit has an open living room, dining room and kitchen area with skylight, oversized historic floor to ceiling window in the dining area, and plenty of natural light throughout. Additionally, Bratton furnished most of the home to give it that final touch.
The Holiday gift... on November 21, 2006 Ms. Smith was greeted by family and friends at her Welcome Home Celebration. She immediately started smiling when she saw the exterior painted the colors she loved from a previous project from Bratton/Rothermel. Once inside, she was speechless at the transformation, layout and colors. She walked the entire space holding her face and grinning from ear to ear. "it was priceless to see her face!" The never ending smile on her face said it all!
"To Mrs. Smith, let this new space be the beginning of so many more wonderful moments."
Ms. Smith, the First Lady of French ST NW has been long overdue for a sign from God or a moment of peace and joy to offset all the moments of loss and despair. On Nov 21, 2006, Herdina Smith got her moment - and what a big moment it was for her and those who love her.
Nine years ago, John Bratton purchased his first house in the city at 905 French ST NW where he met this amazin elderly couple Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Smith. It didn't take long before john adoped the darling seniors as his parents in the city. Mr. Smith "Pops" aka "The Mayor of the street", was the identical image if Johns memory of his own father that was killed in a car accident when he was only 3 years of age. This image was one of caring, giving, strength, wisdom and most of all the one of love of family. Long story short, for the first time in 30 years, John found another man deserving of the title "Pops". Over the next several years, Mr. & Mrs. Smith lost family member after family member to tragic medical and unfortunate circumstances. To make matters worse, like so many of our DC seniors, their financial burdens were just impossible to bare. The government talks allot about taking care of our military veterans and senior but the reality is drastically different. Bratton became determined to keep them in the home and care for them for life.
Mr. Smith "Pops" died of cancer two years ago at the VA hospital. In John's last visit on the eve of his passing, Mr. Smith said "thank God we found our son!" His last request was to take care of Mrs. Smith. It was a devestating loss to the family and community. Mrs. Smith has remained at 901 French St up until August 2006. She has been relocated 3 months while John Bratton has gutted and totally re-designed and renovated the home from top to bottom into a two-unit property. The upper unit is for Ms. Smith to spend the rest of her life in a very peaceful and beautiful space just for her. This gorgeous unit is like a high end condo at no charge that is complete stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, breathe-taking granite kitchen counter top with breakfast bar, wonderful fixtures and an awesome bathroom. The layout is just perfect for the senior, she has a large foyer area to receive guests and just sit and chat without climbing the stairs to her upper level apartment. The unit has an open living room, dining room and kitchen area with skylight, oversized historic floor to ceiling window in the dining area, and plenty of natural light throughout. Additionally, Bratton furnished most of the home to give it that final touch.
The Holiday gift... on November 21, 2006 Ms. Smith was greeted by family and friends at her Welcome Home Celebration. She immediately started smiling when she saw the exterior painted the colors she loved from a previous project from Bratton/Rothermel. Once inside, she was speechless at the transformation, layout and colors. She walked the entire space holding her face and grinning from ear to ear. "it was priceless to see her face!" The never ending smile on her face said it all!
"To Mrs. Smith, let this new space be the beginning of so many more wonderful moments."
