Polishing The Crystal

I am all too familiar with what it means to be unemployed and it can be challenging to find ways to give back to life and remain engaged.  That sounds so Jean Luc Piccard but then, I am an old Trekkie.  I have lined up at least one volunteer stint and I must say, it is an amazing place to be giving my time away to a superb cause.

The food bank where I also volunteer inherited an antique store that has been revitalized by two brilliant men who know merchandising and antiques.  Actually, there appears to be a team of people who volunteer who know about the value of very old things. 

I show up to dust and clean.  I am a tiny droplet in an ocean of energy that makes the store a revenue source for the food bank.  It has been, so far, a much different experience than most antique stores.  Also, they play very danceable club music.  There is a wonderful dog named Jacaranda who sits at the door and greets customers.  When Jac is on duty, she wears pearls.  No kidding.  She is an awesome dog.

Mostly, I dust or clean and I have to hold my breath sometimes because the items are very breakable and I have to go very slow.  I see so many incredible Martini glasses, fluted vases, china sets, teapots and much more.  The crystal decanters yesterday were like holding something from Tiffany's.  Such heft.  The light from the windows refracts through the designs of these amazing pieces of art to a form of prismatic glory that is hypnotising.

It is a little like Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium with a purpose. Maybe more like a Leprechaun's dream of what being of service can really look like when you still feel like a kid in a candy store.