Painting by numbers

My parents have lived in their present home now for over 50 years. When they first purchased it, my uncles thought they had paid way too much for it. However, it does have 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and is on a quiet street which were all important considerations when they picked the family home. It sure seemed like a wise decision, considering the eventual size of their family. Over the years, they have made several changes, and have done the usual upkeep, but for the most part, they have made it their home. In fact, they have lived in it so long, it no longer is known as the Walker house.

Of course, one of the major maintenance responsibilities is keeping it painted. My sister painted it in 1964, I painted it with friends in 1972, and my brother and his friends did it again in 1978. However, for various reasons it wasn't until last year that the family could convene to spruce up the place, and consequently, the paint brushes came out of moth balls. With Mother's Day and my Father's birthday each falling in May, it seemed logical to coordinate the "painting party" around those 2 events.

When we began, the crew consisted of my older sister, my youngest brother and me. After some discussion, we all decided to go with the traditional gray that it had been the color "forever". We prepped the surfaces and then primed them, just like the professionals. However, with each passing hour, several new members joined in, first my other younger brother and then my brother-in-law. The radio was set to classic rock, and this just set the "tune" for a lively discussion down memory lane. We'd have our coffee breaks in the shade of the old oak tree, and when they could, Grandma and Grandpa would join us. We ate our lunches picnic style and of course, enjoyed a frosty beverage at the end of every day in the late afternoon sun. This was a working vacation, but no one was complaining, because we were simply enjoying our selves. We got to reunite in a way that most adult family members rarely do any more.

With each day, the progress became more evident, first one side then another and another. By the weekend, the work force had swelled even more, and it had the look of an Amish barn raising, only we were painting. In spite of our best efforts however, the project fell short of completion. That didn't matter to us though, because we enjoyed ourselves so much and with what we were able to accomplish, it was far greater than having done nothing at all.

Yes. The painting party of 2009 was nearly a complete success, but it was the party "favors" and the scintillating conversation among the invited guests that I really enjoyed. This is one party I'd like to see become an annual event, only next time, let's choose a slightly different color. I am tired and "gray"!