I began counting the days of this transformation at a random milestone, beginning with the first day of my “vacation.” I spent ten days dedicated almost exclusively to the rehabilitation of a house we’ve acquired with the intention of reselling. Our improvements should net us profit.
Technically, the transformation began in mid-February, when we took possession of the house. During the first few weeks, Mr. H repaired the septic system and much of the electrical wiring. These changes weren’t cosmetic, but they were necessary. He also knocked out a wall that divided two living areas, dramatically opening up the space. This change was remarkable.
Personal transformation is similar – some changes are internal, unnoticed by all but the closest friends and family. These can begin with a change in habits, such as spending time in daily prayer, or taking more time to read, to journal, to pursue hobbies. Other changes are dramatic, like significant weight loss, or career changes. But those changes rarely happen in a day; these changes, also, are a process.
Today, Mr. H and I worked together to prune the cedar in the front, refining the earlier cuts that pared everything but the main, vertical trunk. We also removed the dead bushes that lined the front of the house. When we’re finished with the landscaping, our work with the cedar will be obvious, the scars will show, though the end result is pleasing. We’ll create flower beds, trimmed with edging and filled with mulch; the legacy of the bushes will not be evident.
My vacation has ended, so I’ll be balancing my efforts, helping as I can with the transformation of the house on Lodestone, and continuing with my own transformation.
