Painting, primer…and life

by wayne osborn

 

            My brother-in-law was schooling me on the finer points of house painting this past summer.  It was late July, and in the sweltering heat of a 94 degree day, the last thing I wanted to hear were the words:

 

        “We’ve got some extra work  to do”.

 

 Primer.

 

            Apparently, the previous owner hadn’t done their homework, and the side of the house was peeling terribly because they hadn’t laid down any:

 

Primer.

 

            Not exactly a four letter word, but on this insanely hot northwestern afternoon, it might as well have been.

 

            “You’ve got to lay down a good foundation of primer if you want this paint job to last.  You don’t want it to peel, like it is right now.  A little extra work right today will save you a lot of extra work and heartbreak in the future.  You’ll be glad you did it.” 

 

            Where had I heard that before? 

 

            It seems that the principles which apply to painting also apply to life…a little hard work in the present will save you a lot of heartbreak in the future.  I’m talking about preparing for living life, in general.  How many kids right out of high school are really looking towards the future? I know that I didn’t.  College, vocational school, or the military are really the primer on the building that is life.  There’s a lot to be said for life experience, too. The school of hard knocks. That’s primer as well. 

 

            When it comes right down to it, we’re all painting our own lives.  Some of us paint fast, some paint slow.  No matter what kind of a painter you are, no matter what color your paint…slow down…take your time…do the job right…and don’t forget the primer.