The technology behind timber frame construction dates back several hundred years to the 17th-19th centuries. The early colonists brought these building techniques with them to North American when they left Europe. While timber was still abundant and easy to come by, and before the rise of the sawmill, timber frames were the typical construction for homes and barns in New England. Traditionally, the timber frame was put up in one day. The whole community gathered together to help push the frame up and peg it into position. When the frame stood tall, the owner of the frame crawled to the tippy-top of the roof and nailed an evergreen bough to the rafter. From the top of the frame, a blessing was said and then the celebration began!
In order to keep with the tradition of a true timber frame raising, we wanted to celebrate our frame with a blessing. Last night, while the ghosts and ghouls went from door to door asking for candy, or else! we gathered with close friends at our house site to celebrate (and hand out candy, of course). During the afternoon, Jason climbed to the top of the roof and nailed an evergreen bough in place. In the evening, I sat down and wrote the blessing. After dinner, Jason went out and began a small bonfire to keep us toasty in the late fall night. Around 8:00 our close friends joined us for a little celebration to bless our frame.
Writing the blessing was wonderful! I was brought right back to the winter months we spent in the woods collecting the logs for the frame. I remember that time very clearly. Jason and I had just finished raising our pigs and we were eating many vegetables from my garden. Our table was set every night with food that we had cared for. At the same time, every weekend of the winter Jason and I went out into the woodlots of our neighbors and cut down trees. One morning while we were standing in the snow, working on dragging a tree to the side of the road, I was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude: for the tree that would become my house, for the vegetables that I cared for all summer and for the meat we raised. Thanksgiving just welled up inside me. I put my hand on the tree we had just cut down and I said thank you. I remember thinking I never wanted to forget that moment.
When I sat down to write the blessing last night, that same sense of gratitude rushed through me again. Once again I felt thanks for the trees that went into our frame, but I also felt thankful for the many friends, family and neighbors who helped us during this long process. I felt so happy and light. I lit the candles on the kitchen table, and when it was time for dinner, we held hands and said thank you! I hope I never forget this feeling. I hope I can carry this gratitude in my heart forever and ever, and always remember we are blessed.
