Who's the Fence in Your Life?

As we prepare to sell my dad's house after his recent passing, this fence has troubled me. Dingy, dirty, tattered and worn. I actually considered tearing out the section that faced the street. I felt it was diminishing the value of the property. This afternoon as I was pressure washing the brick, I decided to take a shot at that section of the fence. What did I have to lose?

As you can tell by the photos, it cleaned up beautifully. As I continued to clean it, I became even more bothered. I based my perception of the value of this fence in its exterior appearance. Its worth to me was initially based on aesthetics. Dingy. Dirty. Causing the value of the property to suffer. Yet all this fence needed was some attention. Some caring. Some love. Its "bones" were good. A little bit rough around the edges, but still functional and valuable. I almost made a mistake ripping it out. Shame on me.

But as I continued pressure washing I was even more bothered. How many times have I judged a book by its cover? Or a fence by its cleanliness? Or a man in the store by his dingy jeans, scraggly beard and unwashed hair? Or what about the guy that stands on the corner of Firetower and Charles? I've never judged him. In fact, I've given him money on several occasions. Have I given him the attention...the caring...the love....that I've given this fence? Only I can answer that....and...Shame on me.

But here's my question for you...Who is The Fence in your life? More importantly, what will you do about it? I challenge you to think about it and challenge your friends to do the same by reposting this...that's how we make the world a better place..