I THINK I CAN. I THINK I CAN. I KNOW I CAN.

I was halfway down the basement stairs when I reminded myself that the chair in my hands endured three generations of my family so it would survive me!  I did an about face and parked it in the corner of my living room until I could decide what to do.  But for weeks it felt as though it was taunting me each time I walked past the room and could almost hear it jeer at me that I was no match for this project and it was presumably right.

It had been three weeks since I struggled to restore and modernize the vintage 1920's dining chairs that belonged to both my parents and grandparents.  The  solid walnut chairs were diamonds in the rough but I knew, with a bit of effort, they could once again be restored to their original beauty.  As a Pinterest junkie, DIY-er, and "if it's free it's for me" kinda' gal, I decided that I was ready for the challenge!  After reading numerous articles on how to install nailhead trim, I purchased the essential equipment and fabric, stripped and re-stained the wood and was confident and eager to begin the upholstery.  Easy peasy.  Or so I thought.  With a wack of the hammer the first nailhead was struck and simply dropped to the floor.  The second attempt wasn't much better as the stem of the nail crumpled and bent sideways. Not to be disheartened, I wrestled with the trim for an entire afternoon but my enthusiasm soon waned.  Six frustrating hours later, I surrendered in defeat and started to take the chair back down to the basement from where it came. But I suddenly stopped right there on the third step and, with resolve, turned back around.

I had always considered myself to be tenacious and determined, but something happened that day that made me wonder if that inner person I always depended on was waning.  Strong-willed people like myself have a hard time being weak as there is something uniquely about us that feels the need to be able to do it all, on our own, and in our own strength. But sometimes in life, we come to a place where we have to depend on something greater than ourselves.  Sometimes it’s a little thing like refinishing a chair and other times a big and scary life changing event like learning your brother has cancer. 

My goal was to have the dining room set completed in just two weeks' time and ready for a very special occasion.  My brother, Jim was coming north from his home in Florida for a medical evaluation in Baltimore and all of our Pittsburgh family was coming east to my house to see him and his wife, Diane.  We had not sat together at the Kirk family table in the many years since my parents passed away and it traveled across the PA turnpike to my home. I needed to get this project done!  PRONTO!

Having stripped the table down to its' bare wood and re-staining it during the summer months, the table was already completed, but I desperately needed help with the chairs!

For months I had been talking non-stop with God about my brother and his illness and decided to just ask Him for help finishing the chairs.  It might seem a silly thing to bother God about, but I took him at His word that  we could come to Him for help about anything—even something so seemingly insignificant as updating old chairs.  I told him how much it meant to me to restore them and why —but I think He already knew.  And I also took Him at his word that I could do all things through Christ who would strengthen me.  So right there at that crossroad, I chose to believe that those same nails that I drove in crooked were going to be put in place with His help.   

I stood at the living room doorway peering at that chair and decided that I could to get the job done.  Back to the kitchen went all the chairs, and with hammer in hand I went to work and doggone it, if each nail didn’t go in straight! What once seemed impossible was now finished just in time.

What a meaningful time we all had that weekend, but regrettably I never took a photo of us all sitting together --  such a great family memento that would have made!  But each time I walk into the room, the memory remains of that special October weekend where we all gathered at our childhood family table, laughing and talking and sharing all the great times we had as a family growing up at 245 Elias Drive.

My beloved brother lost his courageous fight with cancer the following spring of 2015, but like the chairs, the memories we made that day will forever be hammered and nailed to my heart. 

** March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and the difference between spending time together as a family or saying good bye to someone you love can be something as simple as a colonoscopy.  PROCRASTINATION is a very dangerous word as early detection is key -- especially if this disease is in your family.   It's never too early an age to get screened.  In fact, colon cancer is being seen in young adults at a greater rate.  Please don't put this off as it may just save your life.   If I can drink all that prep, so can you!  Just Do It!