Treasure Hunting

I just got back from "The Antique Roadshow" in Atlanta. A friend, who is interested in antiques and spends weekends searching yard sales and estate sales for treasure, found an item she wanted to take. Friends and family members applied for tickets so she could go. And fortunately, a few entries resulted in the needed ticket. I was invited to accompany her on the big trip. During the course of the trip, we talked about this blog and her blog for antiques, Jazzy Poet. I recounted and remembered why I started this blog... why I call it, "Everyday Magic"

During a tough time I needed to remind myself that every day held moments of magic. I was facing clients pouring pain and anger over me all day. I had two wonderful children, one a teenager. My husband was delightful, but somewhat neglected by yours truly. I had one parent going through a second and difficult divorce while caring for my grandmother, one parent struggling to keep his resolutions for better relationships, a grandmother in declining in health, a brother struggling with his career, frown lines, a ballooning waistline, an aging house and a deficit of hours in the day. I decided that if I had to find something wonderful every day, I would become a more optimistic person who was more present to experience and enjoy the many gifts in my life.

Now, a quick look at my archive shows that I have missed a few days. I have taken note of the things big and small that made me smile. But I have not written them down, unless you count Facebook or Twitter posts. I didn't start the blog for anyone else to read. I started it for me...and I have failed myself. (I messed up my healthy eating routine and morning prayer routine too. But, one things at a time.)

This past weekend with antiques was wonderful on so many levels. The trip was a break for me. My friend is quite busy and so am I. I do not see her as much as I would like and it was so nice just to be in the car for four hours to talk and share. We stayed at her parents' home and her brother was visiting as well. They shared a favorite family restaurant that they love. Her parents opened their home and their hearts showing me true hospitality. I enjoyed being with them and felt right at home.

At the auction itself, I saw numerous items that held value for people. Ultimately, experts set values on those items that represented the market value. It is somewhat like finding money in your pockets. Everyone hoped that an item they already liked would somehow be special or valuable.... or both. For me, the excitement was seeing my friend realize a dream. My friend is smart, beautiful, an accomplished business woman, a great mother, wife, a church leader, a giving friend, and devoted daughter, sister, and aunt among other things. But she has a passion for beautiful things and a beautiful home place. And this love for interesting antiques planted a seed... a dream of sorts. Please remember that a dream and a goal are two very different things.

Her dream was to find an item which was a true find...something with unexpected value. Then, she could take this to " The Antique Roadshow" to have it appraised. They would find it to be more valuable than she imagined. Maybe, she could even be filmed for a segment on the show. Now, this is not curing cancer. And in the context of the meaningful things she does every day to help people, as well as the goals she has met regularly in life and business, this personal day dream made me very happy. I love it when people have a personal dream. Some people want to travel to a certain city, meet a personal hero, win a ribbon, finish a marathon, open their own bakery, write a book, or have a painting in a gallery. And I admire them all. My dreams have always stayed in my imagination, so people who take steps to make a dream happen impress me greatly.

After the appraisals of my own items, I search for my friend to see if her item, an old map of New York City pre-dating the Revolution, was authentic. Well, there she sits, waiting to meet with Producers to see if they will tape her appraisal. I could have dropped right there. Long story short, the map is real, her appraisal is taped, the value of her piece is well above her $50 investment and she is the big find of the day as of 1PM. I will save the detailed version for my friend to share. I won't even get started on how much the item fascinates me. Because there was something even more striking.

I was there. Me. She has many close friends and family members. But for some reason, it all worked out where I got to be there. I was able to witness something wonderful happen to someone. A dream come true. I could have gone my whole life and never witnessed such a moment. It was pure magic.

A little bit of magic goes a long way, if you just stay open enough to see it. So I am going back to my daily treasure hunting. Who knows the value?