There is much beauty in broken things. Not in the brokenness itself, but in the inherent value of the object which can be restored.
Our culture is quick to buy, quick to throw out. While there has been some pushback to this cultural mentality with the rise of minimalism, zero waste, etc., we are far enough down the road of consumerism that products are not even designed to last. Even with care and intentionality, items wear out faster and break more easily because they were designed to be cheap and convenient, not durable. I find myself looking for older things of better quality and greater beauty.
At a yard sale this summer, I found a vintage embroidered handbag. When I went to ask how much it was, the woman hosting the sale actually laughed and said, “You can just have that. It’s falling apart.” I am never one to say “no” to free things.
When I got home, I looked at it more closely. The bag did have damage. There were many places where the embroidery looked moth eaten. However, the bag wasn’t falling apart; someone had intentionally removed the lining. Inside the bag were embroidery skeins that closely matched the muted colors needed for repairs. There were also a few tapestry needles in a needlebook marked with my last initial (it was meant to be). Someone else had seen the value and beauty here and had prepared to restore this bag.
I began the repair someone else had envisioned, slowly matching colors, guessing patterns, and stitching. I didn’t have every color exactly matched because I used the embroidery floss I had instead of buying something new. I am sure I did not get every pattern quite like the original, but I was so happy to sew the lining back in. I don’t know that I’ll find a chance to really use it, but it’s beautiful again.
When things get worn out, torn, or bent out of shape, check your first impulse to throw them out. Consider the value of the item if it were repaired. Maybe take the time to make it beautiful again. You might find that the time you took to repair it makes it even more valuable to you.
Welcome To The Carriage House 