El Dorado Insider Holiday 2022 - 75

This classical style labyrinth was
created to inspire those who visit.
WALKING THE LABYRINTH
Local couple creates peaceful spot for spiritual reflection
Text by: Andrea Hale | Photography by: Dero Sanford
or most of her life, Diane Murfee has been
fascinated by labyrinths. Her first experience
walking a labyrinth occurred in Little Rock,
but she heard about and read about labyrinths
long before that. Diane was inspired to build a
labyrinth at her home church, but for different
reasons the plan never came to fruition.
F
Then one day during the pandemic, Diane had the idea to
build a labyrinth in her own backyard. She and her husband,
Mickey, began to research different styles and designs. They
found an online business, The Labyrinth Company, from
which they ordered plans for a classical style, one of the
earliest styles of labyrinth. Diane discovered an article in Salt
Magazine, published in Wilmington, NC, about a labyrinth in
a hospice garden and the healing effect it had on those who
visited it. The article inspired her to move forward with her
plans, with the idea that she too would share with those who
would benefit from the slow, healing walk.
Plans were made, a contractor hired, and vintage brick
located to complete the path. Construction began in spring
2020 and kept Diane and Mickey busy at home during their
year of quarantine.
The Murfees live on a five-acre plot of land in a house
built by her grandparents in 1938. They are historic
preservationists and are committed to maintaining their
property in the original style of the era. In the 1990s, they
relocated an 1840s cabin to their property and fully restored
it. Along with the labyrinth, the cabin offers solitude and a
place for Diane and others to meet for spiritual direction.
The garden area where the labyrinth is located is encircled
by a fence and gate inspired by the gate at the Abbey of
Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT. The gate represents sea,
land, and sky and was handmade by Mickey Murfee. The
plantings in the garden - a fig tree, crabapple tree and
scuppernong grapes - all have biblical meanings and were
planted to inspire those who walk. p
www.GoElDorado.com 75

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El Dorado Insider Holiday 2022

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https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/el-dorado-dining-guide-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/el-dorado-insider-fall-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/el-dorado-visitor-guide-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/el-dorado-insider-spring-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/holiday-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/22-guide
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/fall-22
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/eldi/spring2022
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