The Timeless House: A Parable of Identity Restoration

The Timeless House: A Story About You and Your True Self

When people ask me what I do for a living, I often think of house restoration.

This morning, I thought of a story that I ended up writing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Once upon a time, there was an old house at the edge of a quiet town. It had been there for many years, and no one knew who built it or why. Only the original builder knew. Over time, people came and went, each person leaving their mark.

The house did its best to shelter everyone. It held laughter, joy, and sorrow. It saw love, neglect, and all the emotions people felt. Some treated it with care, and others didn’t. Over the years, the house changed to fit what each person needed. It adapted, but it always longed for something it couldn’t name. Maybe it was acceptance.

One family painted the walls in bright colors. Another covered them with heavy wallpaper. Someone built false ceilings to make the rooms feel smaller. Some covered the beautiful hardwood floors with carpets. Others added weak walls that made the space feel crowded.

In time, the house forgot what it was. It still had a strong foundation, but its beauty was hidden under all the changes. It had become a mix of everyone’s choices, trying to please them, not remembering its true purpose.

Then one day, a new owner arrived—not to remodel, but to restore.

With great care, they started peeling away the layers. Some came off easily, but others were deeply stuck. With patience, they revealed forgotten treasures. Beneath the wallpaper was beautiful wooden paneling. Under the carpet, the hardwood floors shined. They even uncovered intricate carvings on the ceiling that had been hidden for years.

As the house was restored, it felt something new—a sense of homecoming. It wasn’t changed into something new. It was revealed for what it always was. And though it carried the memories of the past, it was no longer weighed down by them. It was free to be itself.