If the Walls Could Talk…the Caledonia Room

Ten days ago a group of pilgrims from a place called Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, showed up at my door. These pilgrims had traveled from afar to tend to me and another room at Overtoun House. I was initially perplexed by their arrival as they had much difficulty deciding what to call me: the Blue Room, then the Gold Room, then the Heritage Room, and finally the Caledonia Room. It took the whole week to finally decide who I was to be; needless to say, I had a wee bit of an identity crisis.


Initially I was to be the focus of a woman named Audrey but that changed quickly, and so I was put into the hands of Tonya. Tonya has an eye for style and flair. But before Tonya could take action, much needed to be done by all the pilgrims as I was in poor shape. My trim needed trimming by a man I’ll call “Trim Jim,” and my walls and ceiling needed painting, respectively by “The Glossy Girls” and “Tall Ed.” The stone wall that is my centerpiece needed to be planned around, and my size was a source of constant commentary as I am a bit on the wee side. I have two windows that are in pretty good shape but still needed painting.

Praises to God that these pilgrims came to help me. I am now beautiful and bold, and I can confidently claim my identity as the Caledonia Room which is a reference to my homeland Scotland. My gold and red color scheme accented by a black valance which frames the stone wall makes me outstanding.

I have a bench at the foot of my bed that Pastor Bob made from a yew tree. If my research serves me right, yew trees are commonly found planted in church yards and are sometimes referred to as a tree of transformation and rebirth. How appropriate for this piece to be placed within my walls as I have gone through a transformation and rebirth by the pilgrims that journeyed to help me. May the renewed life they have given me help the women and girls who come to Overtoun House renew their lives.