Wishbook

Kids growing up in the '60s and early '70s can attest to the fact that very little, outside of snow days and Christmas break, could come close to the anticipation of Christmas Day and Santa's arrival. With one exception that is; The arrival of the Sears Christmas wishbook! Oh, the hours spent drooling over all of the fabulous toys in the Christmas wishbook.

That was certainly my position, huddled on the floor, Christmas 1972. It was on page 523 of this magical wishbook where my hopes and dreams soared to new heights. I could not wait to tell my mom what I was going to ask Santa for! There, in a beautiful full color ad, was the Kenner Pottery Wheel Workshop! I was smitten! My mind raced with all of the things I would make!

Despite my excitement, my dreams quickly crashed and burned when my mom said it would make too much of a mess and that I'd have to ask Santa for something else. I was just crushed. Thank goodness children are resilient. I got over it, but I never forgot about it.

Many years and millions of conversations later, you can imagine my surprise when my thoughtful friend Lisha, (whose home is decorated for Christmas 365 days a year) made my wishes come true with an adorable little pottery wheel. It was, of course, a child's toy, but it was enough to again stir my imagination and dreams of doing pottery.

In 2019, the high school I attended was being demolished to build a new elementary school. Everything had to go. I decided to check out the auction to see what they had. Perusing the endless pages, I was so excited to see that they had a pottery wheel and a kiln for auction. It was kismet! The day of the auction, I was pinned to my computer, determined to win. The bids were climbing with the clock running out, and at the very last second, I lost out to another bidder. I was so disappointed. But, it wasn't the first time my pottery dreams were shattered, so I really didn't dwell on it.

One evening, I received a call from a number I didn't recognize. Usually, I don't answer those calls, but it was a local number, so I answered it.

The caller introduced himself as Todd, the highest bidder of the kiln and pottery wheel! He had decided that he did not want the kiln and the auction house had given him my contact information. My curiosity piqued, I asked what was wrong with it. He said he had not even started it up and could see nothing wrong with. I asked about the wheel as well, but he said his buddy wanted the wheel. I told him I would think about it and let him know. I did some research and found out how much a pottery kiln would actually cost. I found that Skutt is the most recognized name in kilns and they were thousands of dollars! Even if there were something wrong with it, it was just a machine, and machines are just parts. I knew I could fix it. I called him back and we agreed on a price. He even delivered!

When it arrived, it looked to be in great shape. I did some further research and actually reached out to Skutt, the maker of the kiln. I replaced what I could see was wrong with the kiln and took some pictures, and sent them to the gentleman at Skutt. He was impressed and told me that it was a super nice little kiln. I got a heck of a deal at $400.

Eventually, I bought myself a Potter's wheel and finally got an electrician over to make sure I had what I needed to run the kiln.

I've spent the last six months teaching myself how to throw pottery. I love it just as much as I knew I would. I've found there is an intrinsic connection between poetry and pottery.

Like writing, time with my hands in the clay provides both a release, and a peacefulness I find fulfilling. I could spend hours "behind the wheel" and I do. I find that clay, like life holds mystery, revealed with time, passion, imagination, hope, and faith. Once brought through fire, it has a new life of service, be it a resource or simply a beautiful treasure to behold. Much as each of us.

This weekend I did a glaze fire for the first time on my $400 kiln. I am so excited to learn more and do more. I still have my tiny toy pottery wheel and all the dreams that came along with it. So cliché, but keep dreaming. If you find something that brings you joy, do it. It doesn't matter your age or how many times you've lost out in the past. Life is filled with losses, but God's restoration often goes beyond mere replacement, providing an overflowing abundance. I thank God for never letting me give up.

My first time firing my kiln! Lessons learned for next fire, but I'm really happy. It's a great kiln!