Cromar's Principle

Doug Cromar’s parents knew how to hand-craft an exceptional life.

Cromar’s Principle

As I approached Doug Cromar’s home from, what still feels like a country lane in Holladay, I could feel something different.  Sure, the home was beautiful.  Yet there was something else about it.  Something I couldn’t quite capture the essence of, until Doug escorted me through more than halls and walls.  He guided me through well-crafted steps of building an exceptional life.

“My father built every part of this house with his own hands.” Doug said as he walked me from corner to corner of the home and its expansive grounds.  “He and my mother spent their lives reading ‘Consumer Reports.’  They understood how important it was to focus on quality.”

As we walked, talking about the details of each room, more details of the man and woman who created them were revealed.  They became the spirit of the place.  And, I soon recognized that it was their abiding spirit giving the property and its attached home the special essence I couldn’t identify by simply looking from the outside, from the ribbon of asphalt leading to it.  That spirit is something every one of us can emulate and absorb as part of our own essence.  I call it, the “Cromar Principle” of life-building and growing.

“My Dad just kept planting trees!”  Doug said as we walked past a still not fully-grown tree swaying slightly in the near garden.  And, this tree was joined by many others to create a feeling of serenity and cover.  That was the moment I realized the second tenant of the Cromar Principle.  No matter your age, make sure to continue creating refuge and beauty for yourself and those to come.

“My Dad had me dig the crawl space for the part of the house.”  Doug pointed out as we continued, from the adjacent garden, toward the rear of the house so we could walk inside.  “This is where my mom and dad would sit by the fire in the evenings together.”  It is a cozy space, surrounded by a deck and of course, the garden. 

“Give yourself a place to rest and dream,” I reverently whispered to myself recognizing the third tenant of the Cromar Principle.  It was a thought fitting of this place, a spot to feed one’s soul, to be so close to the kitchen.  And, we walked just slightly toward the setting sun into the kitchen.

Yes.  I could see fine cabinetry and exceptional appliances in this culinary space.  They were the first things to tug at the eye.  But, they didn’t capture my attention.  What captured my attention was something much more subtle.  The joints of the door frames were perfect!  They were so perfect, it was as if the frames were made of one piece!

“Of course, there has been expansion and contraction throughout the years.  Weather naturally causes that to happen.  But, look how solid these joints remain!”  Doug said as he noticed me looking at them in detail.

“Your father didn’t just build this house.  He hand-crafted it!”  I replied.

“It’s something you don’t see anymore.”  Doug answered.

That’s a little something he’s qualified to say, too.  After all, he’s a highly skilled engineer and has more than thirty years of experience in site development, construction, remodels and reconstruction.  He understands the importance of the small.  The importance of detail.

“The fourth tenant of the Cromar Principle!  Focus on fitting even the smallest details of your life so they will stay snug through the inevitable expansions and contractions of life.”  I thought as we continued our discussion.

Doug, his son, his cousin and a family friend were all there with us.  I watched as they talked and remembered.  They were there to support each other.  They were there to pay tribute.  They demonstrated the final tenant of the Cromar Principle.  “Involve others, integrate their hopes, dreams and work with your own.  Doing so will expand your horizons and love in boundless ways” I said to myself as I walk through the front door and down the brick paved walk toward my car with Doug.

As I left the Cromar family home, walking to my car, on what still feels like a country lane, in Holladay, I felt something different.  Sure, the home was beautiful.  Yet there was something else about it.  Something I couldn’t quite capture the essence of until Doug escorted me through more than halls and walls.  He guided me through well-crafted steps of building an exceptional life through the Cromar Principle of life-building and growing.