07/16/2026
This morning, I was waiting at the SMART Train station when I noticed an elderly woman approaching. She wore a beautiful dress, a blue hat, and sunglasses. What caught my attention wasn’t her outfit—it was what she did next.
As she walked toward the platform, she quietly began picking up litter scattered around the station and placing it in the trash bin. There was no audience, no recognition, just a simple act of care for her community.
I smiled and thanked her.
“We need more citizens like you,” I said.
She smiled back and replied, “I’ve lived here for 35 years. I’ve seen the ups and the downs, but the best thing to happen to Santa Rosa has been the SMART Train.”
She went on to explain that she enjoys seeing her neighborhood clean because it’s the place she calls home.
When she first moved here, someone had encouraged her to buy a home near the train station. They told her it would make commuting easier, and they were right. Even today, she rides the SMART Train three or four times a month to visit friends.
Then she shared something that stayed with me.
“People don’t realize how valuable these homes near the train station are,” she said. “Coddingtown Mall is close by, and they’re building a pedestrian overcrossing so kids can safely cross Highway 101 to get to Santa Rosa Junior College. This area has so much going for it.”
As the train pulled into the station, our conversation came to an end. Before we boarded, I said to her I’m holding an open house at 2521 Coffey Lane this Sunday between 1:00 - 3:00 p.m feel free to drop by and gave her my business card
Sometimes the most meaningful conversations happen with strangers. She reminded me that a strong community isn’t built only through major developments or infrastructure projects—it’s built by people who care for where they live, care for their neighbors, and quietly make their corner of the world a little better.
**ecountry (don’t forget 2521 Coffey ln, Sunday 1-3 p.m (listing agent 02003849Judy Chen)( holding agent Kiran Mohan Raj DRE02414810
