For example, framed playbills cover an entire wall in my bedroom. Since I prefer art that tells a story, I love that I can relieve each of these extraordinary nights spent at the theater every time I glance at my wall. I prefer this to simply hiding them in a box where I will undoubtedly forget their existence. Until recently, this wall space only displayed programs from Broadway productions. However, that all changed with my visit to the Grand Ole Opry, an experience so memorable that I knew this unique piece required a place on my wall.
However, not all of our trips need to be quite as grand. Although jaunts across the ocean provide endless excitement, they also prove tiring. Sometimes, the travel itch is scratched just as well by staying closer to home, which I discovered when I planned a weekend at The Mitford Museum this past May.
It is a win-win situation all around.
However, as the receiver, we occasionally gain goods that may have a scuff or scratch on surfaces that cause us to question their origin. For example, for decades, I wondered how a perfectly round mark became etched into the beautiful vintage walnut accent table gifted to us early into our marriage. For years I thought the spot was an oil stain, even questioning if my children had managed to damage the table and keep it a secret or if the mark was a souvenir gained through one of our many moves.Â
However, the answer to my inquiry provided a better story than I imagined.