Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Big...And Not So Big

I've been reading Sarah Susanka -- both "The Not So Big House" and "The Not So Big Life". The latter is really tied in to the former, and both have stirred something very deep in me. This stirring has to do with my house and my life now, as a widow with children grown and gone.

As I move out of a period of deep mourning, through gentle grief into a time of sadness-tinted transition, I am spending a great deal of time figuring out how to claim and enjoy my life as a 'single' person (I swear I'll never feel completely single, having been married for so long) in this house, at a time when I can't afford to move, and when I want to love again what I so loved about this house and garden in the first place.

The result? I spent a good part of Saturday afternoon re-arranging furniture in my family room. I am now taking time to live with the changes for a bit, but even so, new ideas are percolating in my brain, next steps, small changes to make to improve what I've done and to carry the comfort to other areas of the house. Some of those changes will have to wait till I paint my bedroom, which will be very soon!

In moving quickly, I haven't taken 'before' photos, so if I do post 'after' ones, there'll be nothing to which to compare...ah well -- the price of what would appear to be impulse, but was really the need to Get On With It!

5 comments:

barlynne said...

Dear Marg,

We'd like to invite you to our websites for The Not So Big Life and The Not So Big House. Both can be accessed via the portal at http://www.notsobig.com.

There you will find communities of readers like yourself, and many references and resources you might find helpful.

We'd love to have you join us in the discussions as you continue in your journey.

Best wishes,
Barlynne at
Susanka Studios

zippiknits...sometimes said...

I understand this and think it's a necessary step. It's definitely a human need to make these changes when we feel able to.

Thanks for answering my question about the shadow embroidery, and your words about the chemo caps. Your piece is quite beautiful. There's a lot of peace in doing handwork.

Bess said...

Oh - I just feel that sense of movement as I read this post. It feels good.

sending you love
Bess

Bonne Marie said...

Oh Marg! I love moving furniture! I, too, am unable to move (longing to go back to the Pacific Northwest!).

But making subtle changes in the daily landscape really makes a difference. I'm going to go look at some paint chips, thanks :)

Amie said...

I'm 32 and was really married for less than two years. Two and a half years later I'm still saying "we" when I talk of my household. I don't know how to change and look forward.

{hugs}