Change

     Walking through the store the other day, with a quick glance, I happened to point out some interesting paint colors to my daughter. Her eyes lite up and I knew immediately what I had done. She had been toying with the idea of moving her daughter from her crib to a bigger bed and with only a little encouragement the "plan" started to form.

     Change is most always bitter-sweet. Overnight my granddaughter went from her baby crib to a "big-girl" bed. I believe that transition is difficult for any parent, but the change was so dramatic it was hard to look back with any lingering thoughts. The first night my granddaughter slept in her "new" room was a wonder to behold. Her eyes were extra-large as she snuggled under her new cover. The first time I've ever seen her sleep with anything but her blankie touching her!

     The next morning, still in awe, she exclaimed several times throughout the day, "I like my room."

     One of the changes that really helped bring the room together was painting the old dresser. As a wood worker, covering wood with paint is almost sacrilegious--it just isn't done! And the fact that is was my grandmothers, and mother's dresser made it even more of a sacred object. But the dingy, yellowing wood had stood as an eyesore in my granddaughter's room long enough. In communing with Grandma Kate and Mom, I had to ask them if this was okay....change is hard for me. Both of them were artist and I could not hear their objections. With a final plea to my daughter, "Are you sure you want this painted," it met with a resounding, "Yes!"

     The dresser was sanded to smooth out some of the rough wear and to clean the wood. We used the same paint we used on the wall, applying the dark pink on the outer frame, while the drawers were painted the lighter pink. My daughter carefully taped each square, then used a roller over stencil. She was careful to apply only one or two rolls, then cleaned the stencil between each use. It was a little time consuming, but the results were clearly worth the effort. The painted dresser really worked to bring the room together and I think Grandma Kate is smiling down on her great-great granddaughter snuggled in her pink--very pink--room!