We recently bought a house and while rummaging around the stuff the previous owner left us (or conveniently forgot) i found an old chisel. A dry wooden handle, cracked and rough with a rusted metalpiece with a few glimmers of that silvery shine that promises solid worksmanship.
Time happens to things and people alike, we can’t change that. We can, however, change the way we deal with that. Adjust with the process or try to fix it when the late realization hits you one saturday morning when the person looking back from the other side of the mirror has a bit more lines in the face and decided that it would be really neat with some extra stuffing around the waist.
In the case of the old chisel, i can try to fix it up. See if some oil can make the handle smooth again, maybe sanding it a little but still keep some of the wear and tear. The metalpiece can be brushed with a metalbrush to remove the worst rust and then let it soak in some white vinegar overnight.
In the case of the jolly wrinkled fellow in the mirror, i’ll make sure to keep some facecream in the bathroom cabinet and maybe a few fork put-downs more.
I think the most important thing is seeing things for what they are. The chisel might not be the best, but with some love it’ll be enough for me. As for myself, keep smiling at the guy in the mirror. He’s more than enough.
