I truly believe in the karma of a house. I’m not saying I believe in ghosts, although if I met one I might change my mind! But without sounding too new agey, I am certain that there is an unspoken energy carried through a house by those that lived there over the years. Sometimes it’s good energy, sometimes not. It’s just a hunch, but if it feels right you may say, “Yes, this is where I want to live. Let’s do it.”
Occasionally, more tangible evidence presents itself. Often without conscious intent, previous dwellers leave clues behind that reveal who they were and when they lived in your house. Sometimes these clues are uncovered during your home inspection. Perhaps you discovered that some rumpled newspapers from 1943 had been shoved between the walls as makeshift insulation, or a box of old books were errantly left behind in the basement storage room. Maybe you’re starting a kitchen renovation and when the old cabinetry is pulled out, you find a pencil on the floor inscribed with the name of a bank that no longer exists.
Do you recognize this house? Lots of TV melodrama here!
Since choosing where to live is rather a leap of faith, it’s a pleasant surprise to discover some type of affirmation. This happened to us yesterday. We’re removing the bookshelf in our foyer to install a built in desk unit for a family workstation. Some unfinished wood was left exposed and as Steve was sanding it he found some writing on the floor.
From what we could read, it said “Nathaniel 1:12 Praise God, Rev. S.E. (smudged) Mississippi, September 10, 1955″
Steve thinks this goes back to the tradesmen in the apprentice system who used to travel throughout the country for work. They would sign their names to indicate to the next tradesman that this work was good enough to bear their signature.
Or perhaps it was just a lovely sentiment captured in a moment for us to discover almost 55 years later. Either way, we sanded around it, and it will remain a part of our house as it always has been.
Have you unlocked any clues about your house that you’d like to share? Do tell!
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