Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Master Designer....




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 This morning  I happened upon Sherri Cassara Designs blog through recommendation of Patricia van Essche of PVE Design.  I love Patricia, so naturally I clicked over to check Sherri out.  I found something that really struck a chord with me.  Sherri had written about a poem from Darlene of Fieldstone Hill Designs called "I am a Master Designer.  This poem really sums up my work and my desires.  If you have been reading my blog for long, you may know that I began my blog, while grieving the loss of my 22 year old son, who died kayaking, this Mother's Day will be three years ago.  After Walker died, I lost my desire to do anything other than read my Bible and meditate.   I questioned whether I really wanted to continue to "decorate " other people's homes when my own was totally in shambles.  .  I had great clients but I wanted to help people with real life issues, more than just helping pick out furniture, paint and wallpaper?  After all what did a throw pillow really add to anyone's life?  I began to question my own life, my own purpose, more and more.  Material things seemed so unnecessary.  I knew the things that really make us happy aren't things.  I longed for my life to be one of purpose and meaning.  I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.  I was numb to life.  It was hard to make others realize what was going on inside of me when I didn't know myself.  It was the first time in my life that I really didn't care what others thought of me.  In many ways that was liberating but in others it was not healthy.  Grieving the loss of a loved one, especially your own child, is like trying to reassemble a mirror that shatters into a million pieces.   The mirror can be reassembled yet it's damage is outwardly still visible.    The brokeness in a person is not visible so it's easy for people to forget that you are still damaged. The old saying "time heals all things" isn't accurate with grief, you aren't healed, you just learn to live through it.  You can't explain how this feels to another human.  It changes you forever.  I've been told that you grieve deeper than you love.   All the jewelry, beautiful furniture and material things don't fill the giant hole you feel in your family and in your soul when you gather during the holidays or celebrate your loved one's birthday without them.  Time doesn't heal but it does allow you to regroup and re-evaluate.  Reading the following poem on Sherri's blog this morning reinforces how I have begun to think of design in another way.  I no longer think things have to be perfect to be beautiful.  I know that when I help to design someone's home, I am helping to create a place where they can live and enjoy their family.  It's more than "just decorating".  I will continue to do my volunteer work and read my Bible, but I have slowly returned to work.  Interior Design is more than a job for me.  It is my passion.  I won't let death take that away from me.  Like the butterfly who made it's way out of the cocoon, I soon  soar back into my world.  Thanks for coming on the journey! 


“I AM A MASTER DESIGNER.
I LOVE BEAUTY:
I SEE POTENTIAL AND I WANT TO FILL IT WITH BEAUTY.I AIM TO CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL THAT IS WORTHY OF JOY.DESIGN IS A HIGH CALLING, ONE THAT CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS, BE A MEANS TO FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS, AND ADD MUCH JOY TO MY FAMILY.I APPRECIATE FINE AND LOVELY THINGS, BUT THEY ARE NOT MY TREASURES.I KNOW WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT, ANDI DO NOT AIM TO “STORE UP MY TREASURES HERE ON EARTH.”*I LIVE TO BRING GLORY TO GOD, THE ULTIMATE MASTER DESIGNER.HE CREATED BEAUTY.HE CREATED ALL BEAUTIFUL THINGS.AND, HE CREATED MY PASSION FOR DESIGN, AND SET THAT JOY IN MY HEART.EVERYTHING THAT I CREATE,AND HAVE CREATED,IS BECAUSE I MYSELF WAS CREATED BY A MASTER.I AM A MASTER DESIGNER.”*{VERSE REFERENCE, MATTHEW 6:19}


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26 comments:

  1. This is such a good reminder to the rest of to remember and cherish what is truly important. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Michelle! I love your cute outfit on your blog! Hope you have a great day!!!

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  2. This is beautifully put, Lisa, poem and all.

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    1. Thanks Lisa! I hope you are having a sunny, wonderful day!

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  3. What a beautiful post Lisa - so incredibly well said. Your story brought tears to my eyes. xo

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    1. Thank you Sherri for sharing the poem! I just know we are kindred spirits! Have a great day!

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  4. Holy smokes, Lisa! Wow! Thank you for sharing! What a fantastic poem and I am truly moved by your story and your perseverance. What a blessing that you did not give up on your talent and passion. You are truly glorifying Him and impacting those around you. It's amazing how He works in our lives and allows us to use Him through our passion.
    Also, Your son must have been on awesome kid!!!

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    1. Thanks Jamie, he was awesome! Have a wonderful day!

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  5. Lisa, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. My heart aches for you and I can't imagine how anyone without faith would make it through such a tragedy. Darlene's post resonated with so many, it seems we all question the importance of design at some time. Your gift is a blessing for the many families you've helped to create a beautiful home!

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    1. Thank You Pam! You are so kind to me. It has been a long road but I feel better than ever! From time to time I post pictures of Walker but unless you were with my blog from the beginning most people don't know who he is and probably just think that is a handsome young man. He was a wonderful boy and I miss him so much! God is great!

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  6. A friend of mine lost her little boy last year, and it has been amazing watching her and her family heal. She has done so with so much grace and authenticity -a great example to those around her.

    Best to you.

    Laura,
    http://cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot.com/

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  7. God bless her Laura! That's what you have to do to continue and to be the mother/wife that you have to be for those around you! Take care!

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  8. Lisa,
    Somehow, I felt your joy and strength shine even before I knew your loss.
    Thank-you for sharing and I am so happy to connect you to Sherri. She is a Master Designer, like you.
    Blessings to you,
    shine on,
    pve

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    1. Thank You dear, sweet Patricia! I so appreciate your kind words. Hope you have a lovely evening!

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  9. Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. You are such a truly lovely person to be able to share and inspire the way you have here.

    I believe that God gives us the ability to design and the capacity to appreciate beautiful things. We spend so much time in our homes. How wonderful that people like you can help us enjoy that!

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    1. Thank you so much! I love following your blog! I have tried to find your name but can't? I just knew the person behind that blog was special! Thanks for such sweet words!

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  10. Lisa, How can I thank you for sharing your heart in this way? What a stunningly beautiful post. We all must discover what really matters in this life... and that is the eternal influence, not the earthly. And yet, there are earthly joys MEANT to be enjoyed.
    I am so so sorry for your loss. What pain can be deeper? I grieve for you.
    Not a forever loss. No. Not forever. Just here. on earth.
    We are Easter people.

    Also, thank you for sharing the Master Designer Manifesto. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for you to join the Master Designer blogroll!
    http://www.fieldstonehilldesign.com/master-designer

    It is open to ANY creative blogger who 1. creates and/or designs and 2. Agrees with the Manifesto. But I would be especially honored if you would join, after hearing your heart!

    It would be my honor to have you join some of the most talented women on the web who share their love for God and Design with grace.

    Love to you this day!

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    1. Oh My gracious! I am so honored Darlene! I should have done my homework! I had no idea! I would love to be on the blogroll with these lovely people! I am going to do that this morning!!! Thank you for your kind words Darlene! I think this calls for another post...

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    2. Yay!!! I am honored as well! And thank you, thank you for sharing this manifesto! Please use whatever you need from my blog for another post! I am so thrilled to have you on the blog roll, but even more thrilled to know you in blogland. I already followed you on Pinterest {first things first, of course!!!!!}, and I am off to follow you on FB and twitter and elsewhere.

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    3. Yay! I am following you on Pinterest too! Will do FB and Twitter!! If you figure Twitter out please clue me in, I can't figure out the circles...LOL! First up for me is to get the button on my page for the Manifesto!!! I am also working on my e-decorating service page! I love yours! I need to do a blog overall!

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  12. I am so sorry about your loss ,Lisa and touched by your story.
    Keep strong
    X
    V

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    1. Thank You Viera! it means so much for you to comment! Have a great evening!

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  13. thank you, lisa. a beautiful reminder. I am touched by your loss and also your strong spirit. all my best to you...donna

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