you know how sometimes the best only happens on detours? i was at the PCC flea market yesterday specifically for a tool & art supplies booth, where i restock my jewelry polishing tools and other goodies. before i found that booth, my eyes, and almost immediately after, my legs, were magnetized to this weird wooden tool box looking item. the booth owner told me that it’s supposed to be a teaching tool for kids. i suppose if it’s for toddlers, they get to learn how to open and close doors, and for kids a little bit older, they can also learn about the specific kinds of locks? either way i was having so much fun playing with it myself as a big kid, and i gave him 10 bucks without bothering to bargain (which my friend called me stupid for ……-_-) because i was simply having a hard time parting with it already.

after the happy transaction i moved on the the next booth, where the lady pointed out immediately,
“oh! that was my box, i sold to a man for a couple of bucks yesterday.”
i told her how strange and wonderful this toy/ teaching media is and how fascinating i found it to be. she said it was made for her grandchild which she never got a chance to give to.
awkward.
as much as i love stories, i usually only listen to what a person is willing to tell. this was obviously something she did not mean to share. luckily the awkwardness was abruptly ended by another customer’s question.
i smiled and made my way out but could not help to wonder how exactly the story goes behind this one of a kind wooden box. now i may never find out, but i see the beauty in it— the beauty of a handmade piece of art once loaded with joy, thoughts and love. something might have gone wrong somewhere afterwards, but the heart and soul of the maker has successfully transferred onto the piece, and because of that, the raw material has come alive.