Love And Sardine Tin Keys

When I was a kid my Grandma used to buy tins of sardines.  She would put them on Saltines and we would eat them.  I never really liked them, but I loved the way the can opened.  You would take off the waxy paper and there was a key attached to the top.  You inserted a tab into the slot in the key and rolled the top back to expose the contents.

I always wanted the key, but my Grandma was afraid I would cut myself removing it.  So it was very rare that I got to have one.  I wish I had some of those keys now.  If anyone out there has any, please let me know because I had an interesting idea for them.  While I haven't had any sardines in decades, I am pretty sure they are probably pop top cans now.  Everything is.

Last night when I laid down to go to sleep, I was thinking about those cans and about the events of the day.  I had a fun day yesterday.  I met up with Debra Hoffman of New Avenue Crew.  She is a lovely bear artist who lives in town and we had been talking about getting together forever.  So we finally met for lunch.  I am sure we will be getting together a lot sooner next time!

After lunch I had an appointment an hour and a half later in the same area for my monthly massage.  While I was killing time I went shopping and found a fabulous pair of shoes, (aren't they amazing!) and a few other little trinkets.

I chatted with another friend who works at one of my favorite shops.  Then it was off to get my massage.  I always request the same guy because he is so amazing.  That boy has magic in his fingers, and he knows exactly what part of my neck is always sore.  I would love to adopt him and keep him for my own selfish sore neck needs! 

So as I lay reflecting on the days events and thinking about those cans and what I would do with the keys, I made one of those weird connections I often make.  Wouldn't it be great if people had those keys attached to their hearts, and we could just roll back the lid and see what's inside!  I am sure we would see all sorts of amazing things that people keep hidden.  I don't think they hide them intentionally, but it's sort of become the norm for people to keep part of themselves locked away.

I fully understand it, we live in a world where people have developed trust issues as a self defense mechanism.  Lets face it, there are bad people out there who try to cheat, scam and harm us.  But I still completely believe there are more good people than bad.

Now I want to tell you a simple truth.  It's ok to love people for exactly who they are, and even sometimes despite themselves.  Seems like an easy concept doesn't it?  But sometimes easy concepts are the hardest.  Whether that love (the affection variety, not the romantic variety) lasts for five minutes or a lifetime, it's ok to feel it.  We shouldn't let fear stand in our way of feeling it.  We tend to shy away from certain things, and this is one of them.  I think sometimes it's those things that we need to embrace instead of shying away from in order to be happy.

Yesterday I felt love for someone who I don't know that well yet, for their kindness and openness, for someone who is normally very strong for their vulnerability and hope, and for someone who I rarely talk about deep issues with for their honesty.  Seeing these things in these people made me happy to know them...particularly the latter.  I asked Mr. Masseur if I ever made him nervous.  (I have still been chewing on that from last week a bit, because as I told you in a previous post it bothers me when people say that to me.)  He was the perfect person to ask since we have a working relationship.  He said absolutely not, that he loved it when I came in because I wasn't as dull as most people.  *Grins*  I felt so much better for hearing it.

So this week I urge you to insert the key and roll back the lid on your own heart, let people see your true nature, and look for theirs.  Allow yourself to love them for just what they are, and allow yourself to feel it.  You will be happier...I promise!  (And find me some sardine tin keys!)

Have a lovely day!  Hugs, K. <3