Who would ever think painting
one’s house could be a marker event; that line in the sand that separates a
before and after segment of life?
Well, I’m here to tell you it has been for me – two times!
Ten years ago we gave our home a
facelift. It not only needed a
fresh coat of paint, but a change of color as well! As luck would have it (I choose to see it as a God shot) the
man who owned the painting company had a Master of Divinity degree! I recall in
depth conversations in the midst of checking out color palates and deciding
whether or not to boldly use burgundy on our front door! I wanted to ‘warm’ the
house up a bit; to have an invitational and welcoming entryway.
This was also a time of huge
change in my life. I left my
sixteen-year teaching position with Los Angeles and returned to a classroom in
my hometown. In addition to a
shift in career paths, it was the period of my mother’s rapidly spiraling
decline into the disease of Alzheimer’s.
So painting our house represented
a new direction, a stepping out into uncharted territory – a ‘marker
event’. However it was never so
clear as two months after completion of the painting, when mother finally
succumbed to her disease. It had
been a long difficult struggle; emotionally, mentally, and physically. I very much wanted to celebrate her
life and the healing that had been part of the journey she and I shared. After the memorial service, I invited
everyone over for a reception. That
was actually the first occasion to receive friends and family at our welcoming
entryway with the boldly beautiful burgundy door! I was saying goodbye to mother with grace and dignity. And one chapter of my life was coming
to a close, as another promising chapter lay ahead. That line in the sand, symbolized by a fresh coat of paint!
Fast-forward ten years; I
contacted our Master of Divinity painter.
I could no longer ignore the peeling wood and faded stucco! But remember, it was only two years ago
that we were going to sell this house; we had determined our “thorn” had won
the battle and we would leave! Ever so gradually, we have had a change of
heart. This was OUR HOME, filled
with years of love and memories.
It was worth fighting for!
As was the case a decade ago, I had amazing discussions with Mr. Master
of Divinity painter about thorns, forgiveness, letting go, and moving on! About half way through the completion
of painting, I realized this was about much more than freshening up tired
looking paint. I was reclaiming
our home. I am ready to remove the
‘thorn’ as the focus of my life; it’s time to move forward. Another line in the sand, symbolized by
a fresh coat of paint!
So there you have it! Marker Events with a paint brush!
