Article September 24, 2012 Issue

Making it shine!

Michael Shays

The other day I decided to tackle the job of putting furniture wax on a small wooden cabinet my wife and I had tucked in a corner for supplies. We saw it in an antique store years ago and loved its lines, but for at least two years, we had paid little attention to it there in the corner.

As I was putting a series of wax coats on the cabinet, the grain came alive again and I noticed some details on its door that I had completely forgotten. Suddenly, the task was no longer toil to me but a gift of love and joy over what a wonderful piece of workmanship this modest cabinet was.

It made me realize that when we take care of something, we see its beauty anew and appreciate it more. When we neglect it or take it for granted, its beauty begins to fade.

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