Good day, Prosperous One!
In a couple days, many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. It’s a time of reflection and coming together as family and friends.
As we approach the day of gratitude, I have been reflecting on what can make this holiday even more special.
In reflecting on that idea, I am reminded of a recent experience that heightened my appreciation for my parents and the gifts they left me.
When Dad passed in 2013, he left behind his paints, brushes, and watercolor paintings.
When Mom passed in 2017, she left cookbooks, recipes, and cooking utensils.
They also left a simple ceramic bowl. For the last several years, we’ve kept that bowl in the cupboard with other bowls.
There’s nothing particularly special about it other than it was something left by my parents.
Earlier this year, the bowl fell and broke into pieces. It could have been the end of one more memento of my parents.
Rather than lose it, I decided I’d practice the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken ceramics are brought back together with gold.
Despite my good intentions and with all that’s happened this year, with our move, etc., the broken pieces lay as they were for months. Until a couple Sundays ago, I found myself with a little extra time. I decided it was a good time to honor their memories and make good on my intention.
I took some gold paint and painted the edges of the broken pieces. Then I took some Elmer’s glue, mixed it with the paint, and applied it to the edges.
As I added the gold paint, the bowl’s beauty was restored with the glitter of appreciation. As I added the glue, the pieces were restored with the glue of gratitude.
After completing this project, I now look at other areas of my life and consider how can I add that same glitter of appreciation and glue of gratitude to what I may have otherwise discarded or overlooked. Opportunities for more appreciation and gratitude are everywhere.
Shine Brightly,
Stef