Life often feels like a pendulum, swinging between profound trauma and deep gratitude.
Recently, I found an antique clock at a thrift shop that beautifully illustrates this duality.
While thrifting, I stumbled upon a unique clock that caught my eye. Priced at only $10, it felt like I had won a bit of a lottery with this little treasure! It was so pretty and ornate!
When I turned it over, I saw the "AS IS" sticker (which usually means it is broken), I was perplexed when it appeared to be working fine.
Captivated, I bought it!
During my drive home, the only sound was its rhythmic ticking. I often find that I can't listen to music while travelling in a car; that time is usually when I find myself lost in thought and reflecting.
Each tick reminded me of my own life’s contrasts—moments of unbearable pain balanced by deep joy and gratitude. As we parked in the driveway, I looked down at the clock just as it reset itself 15 minutes back.
This antique treasure is now perched on my hutch where every so often it jumps back in time.
This oddity feels like a metaphor for my experiences: life often oscillates between past struggles and present joys. Sometimes, we must revisit our past to understand our growth and the blessings that emerge from hardship.
The clock's backward reset reminds me that life continues to move forward, regardless of our challenges.
While we often focus on our struggles, it’s vital to cherish the love and moments we have now. We’re not promised tomorrow, so we must prioritize what truly matters—connection, laughter, and shared experiences.
The antique clock now sits in my home, a constant reminder to slow down and appreciate life’s fleeting moments. It encourages me to embrace the full spectrum of my experiences, recognizing that brokenness can coexist with beauty.
Life’s pendulum has shaped who I am through both trauma and resilience. Sometimes, it takes simply finding a clock in a thrift shop to help us appreciate our journey and to dig deep to find something worth saving out of a trauma, that will help foster and provide peace rather than pain.
As I navigate life, I strive to cherish every tick, savouring the present and the love that defines my time on this earth.
Mrs. Kimberley Vander Schelde
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