The Giving Gift

I trace my love of clocks and timekeepers to when I was very young, having received a Cinderella Watch & Music Box, which when wound up, and the little Cinderella figurine pirouetted on a stand to the loveliest music. The music box contained a girl’s watch with a yellow leather band and bold clock face which although pretty and feminine, was practical.

Being so young, I had no particular need of keeping time so why a watch? I was fascinated with Cinderella and her costume, so I bemused myself with the music box and music. They only let me wear the watch to Church and on special occasions.

I imagined the person who gave me the gift meant to impart some deeper value or purpose that I would appreciate only in time. My child’s mind mulled over getting it with quite a bit of puzzlement.

Years later, my fascination with collecting timekeepers (watches, clocks, stop, digital, pendulum, etc.), is so ingrained that I’ve actually stopped myself on more than one occasion from acquiring more. I suspect on a deeper level I learned to value time. Not an in-your-face clock-watcher way, but in duration and how long something takes to get done and how to use time wisely.

I have pangs of missing that little Cinderella and the watch ever and I remember the kind person who gave it to me, who is no longer with us.

Perhaps my habits of perpetual-ness is a direct result of that gift.