Blessings

I think I told you long ago that our contractor gave us a chart at the beginning of our project to warn us about the psychological process of renovating a home.

And my veiny hand.

We're about to enter the valley of the shadow, you guys.  They start hanging drywall this week.  I would have thought that I was unique in being super excited about roofing and windows, but it looks like that's pretty standard.  It's also pretty standard to increasingly float in a sea of "Meh" about mechanicals.  Since the chart has been right so far, I'm steeling myself for some pretty serious doldrums over the next six weeks.  I think I'll have some choosing to do (exterior paint?) in the interim, though, and there will be trim and tile when we're through, so I guess I can muddle through.

For now, I have some small progress news, and a request.  

Y'all know I'm bookish, and I'm a big believer in the power of words.  It's not that I believe in magic spells, but I think intention, especially spoken or written, has a power of its own, for good or ill (and yes, I talk to my plants).  So I've been thinking for a while that I'd like to kind of vacuum-seal the good things and good thoughts we have about the house inside the walls with a house blessing.  Our church has had a party when they're finishing a new building to have people write prayers and blessings on the walls, so I thought we'd do the same thing.

Tonight, our family wandered over to the house with some sharpies, admired the fresh fluffy insulation, and spent a while thinking about our hopes for our home and our future.  We sang a few songs, said a few prayers, and we wrote blessings on the walls of our house.  It was private and homey, and lovely, and I really hope and really believe that the love and happiness we shared tonight will nest in the walls and help our house continue to be the place it's been for us for nine years, and for others for ninety more.  None of these prayers will be visible when the drywall is up, but I think the Power behind our intentions doesn't need to be seen to have strength.

So this is a terribly awkward thing to ask, like I'm wanting you to give me more than just your attention with this blog, but I also believe that love is infinite and bottomless, and the more you give, the more you have, so I'll ask for more anyway (I will also demand a high-five if I see you in person and I do something I deem to be awesome, like arrive kind-of on time, because you can never have too many high-fives.  That's just the kind of person I am).  If you have a good thought, a blessing, or a prayer you'd like to share with my family and my home, I would value the heck out of that.  You can write it down and send it to me, or comment, or e-mail or Facebook-message me--whatever works for you.  I'll print it out, or write it on some wood, and your message will be part of the unseen fabric of our house forever (or until the bayou takes back civilization, you know, whatever comes first).  Thanks for reading, and thanks for the blessing of your friendship in spoken and unspoken ways.