Last night, the Purple House in Grant Park embraced its six residents as they came together for community night. As we do each Monday, we shared discussion about this week’s “Rhythm of the Year” topic. The subjects gain depth and take on new forms as we hear each other’s perspectives and interpretations of the readings. I look forward to discussion time because each week we grow closer as housemates and discover a richness in the texts that would be impossible to uncover as a sole reader.
During check-in time, tears and hugs poured out, as they often do. We offered up our concerns and joys, there against the teal living room walls. I could almost hear the eves sigh in sympathy last night. This house has a spirit. What all must this home have seen and witnessed over its last twenty-some years as a Mennonite Hospitality House and now a Dwell House? It has sheltered refugees, Mennonite Voluntary Service participants, Young Adult Volunteers, and even the founders of DOOR. In the lives of how many people has the Purple House been the set for even a brief scene?
Last week, I ran into a woman who lived here nearly a decade ago as a housemate for a newly paroled convict (“transitional housing” in action!). And recently, Tommy met someone who had volunteered here and painted Alan’s bedroom. My 9 year-old cousin even recognized the soul of this place when she visited for the first time yesterday: “This house is way cooler than I ever thought it could be!” she confided. Come see for yourself.
