There has been a change at The Willows that has brought me not to a halt so much as a pause. The front bedroom, where one of my children lived, is now empty, and with that emptiness has come a mingling of sadness and relief, hope threaded through with regret.

No menus have been scrawled in the margins of notebooks; my next gathering remains a shadow on the horizon, waiting for the moment when my thoughts have cleared enough for me to turn, once again, toward my joys.

This change in the house has brought an opportunity; a chance for me to claim some space just for myself. I have Big Plans, which, upon careful consideration of finances and energy levels will no doubt develop into Very Small Plans. But for now, where such mundanities as money do not factor into developing the vision, all things are possible, and that is where I find my fun.

In its current form the room is in need of a refresh. It has a wide veranda over it which blocks direct light from the northern aspect, so it needs help to feel as bright as possible. A new coat of paint to freshen it up, and to put my own stamp on it will be a good place to start. As tempted as I am to go to a deep, moody green or a soft pastel pink (could they be any more different?) on the walls, I think I will regret it in time, so I am going to test a warm ivory and a blushy-stone, and see which feels right in the space.

In the way that a new life was claimed by moving out of the house, a new life can also be created in the space left behind.

I will pull furniture from other parts of the house and slowly create my little Eden; and I am curious and excited to see what emerges from those four walls.

For now, this is enough. I will tend what is here, move slowly, and remain open to what might yet unfold.

A pause at The Willows

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