Friday, May 5, 2017
The Color of Home
I have to admit, I didn’t expect a lot from this one. Not having an especially wide readership and because it wasn’t particularly gripping from the start. Instead of grabbing hold of and pulling you in, this one takes your hand gently, guiding you into its center, meandering through the tale at a more comfortable, steady pace. However, I was surprised and delighted to come upon what I feel are rare treasures within the concepts of this love story. Ones worthy of more exploration and consideration. Certainly like none other that I have read in others.
Within the first chapter, we meet Sassa and Nick. These two go on to have a rather serious, emotionally deep romantic relationship spanning over the next one year. Revealing some of the innermost depths of their hearts to one another during that time. However, Sassa isn’t sure she is ready, nor certain that she believes in the concept of being tethered to one person for the next 50+ years of ones life. Instead, feeling as though she still has much growth and exploration ahead of her, which she needs to be able to move forward in.
Growth and explorations that may involve certain parallel paths with Nicks, but in other instances which she imagines may require a forking off from one another (if remaining totally true to themselves). So, despite loving him deeply and believing there is something poignant between them, she leaves. But, not before first posing an interesting question. This is where is gets interesting.
Both Sassa and Nick feel and acknowledge a resonating connection between them. A sense of being home with each other. Yet, Sassa is convinced there is more that both of them still need to do first. Some of which would, if truly following their hearts, take them in opposite directions from one another. She believes its important for each to continue venturing forth into self growth and discovery first. That you cannot truly be ready as your best self and partner until you have grown in immense ways. That one should live through a certain amount of varying experiences and explorations before making a commitment of such magnitude.
So, she poses to Nick the following thoughts and ideas: might it be possible for the two of them to venture forth through life, down their own paths of discovery and growth, while remaining in sporadic touch (they agree to talk once a year) and still connected? And even further, can they do this in honesty, openness and bravery with one another? Keeping the possibility in mind of their ending up together romantically if their paths end up converging once again. But also, that if it doesn’t work out in such a way, this is ok too. But to go forth trusting in the universe. To let go, both with the understanding and acknowledgment that a large part of compatibility, a huge part, is timing.
Rich Marcello 