Some of you may know that I collect Shaker boxes handmade by Marty Travis of Fairbury, Illinois. Every now and then, I add one to the stack. This time it was a tiny red one for the very top.
I tore through the wrapping when the package arrived, and pulled out the delicate oval box, rich in color and smooth to the touch--the kind thing that just feels good in your hand.
My family doesn't always get my fascination with hand crafted items, particularly those of diminutive size. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before my son asked,"What's the point of a box that's too small to hold anything?"
I explained that Shaker boxes originally held things like garden seeds, herbs and spices or buttons and thread for sewing but are equally functional for postage stamps, or on a dressing table for rings Finally, I blurted out, ”Use your imagination. It's big enough for a dream!" Cue the teenage eye roll.
Here's a little reminder to "think outside the box."
Bright Shaker boxes
stacked in perfect symmetry
hold all of my dreams.
