The ghosts of memories stirred up by the post from last night made me spend a few minutes tracking down the San Francisco storefront my uncle the goldsmith once worked out of.
Took a few minutes on Google to locate an old address and then a few minutes going through some old pictures but I confirmed I had the right location.
For a moment I wasn’t certain if I had because the picture I had in my hand had a different name on the window than the one on Google maps.
I wasn’t surprised by that but I had hoped there was something I could use for verification and then I noticed something.
In the far left corner of the picture there was an address number that matched what I saw on screen.
Bingo.
I went to the website for the current shop and saw they are still selling jewelry but it said something about 18 years and my uncle has been gone for 27.
It closed the door on this crazy idea that maybe somehow the people that took over the shop would have held onto something he made.
And then I remembered I had called the store around 25 years ago and asked if they had anything and had been told probably not, because the former owner was dead.
I have a ring my uncle made me for my Bar Mitzvah and I think my sisters might own a few things too.
Have to figure he has other pieces floating around the world and that it is not impossible to stumble across one, though probably unlikely.
I am ok with that.
If I wanted I could tell you a bedtime story that would make you recognize that lightning can strike more than once and if I did a proper job, you’d be amazed.
You’d ask me to elaborate and let you see all of the layers of the magic tapestry but it is unlikely that will ever be released for general distribution.
My number one fan likes to keep it close to the vest and I can’t say that is a bad idea. Not everyone deserves or needs to keys to the secret garden and magic world.
Heck, some who know take extended vacations and go on walkabouts in which they don’t visit the kingdom.
I have done the same, but there are extended periods where I go back because someone has to be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance.
It is kind of reassuring to wander through and take care of the things that need to be done. Don’t think I have ever gone more than about 24 or 26 months between visits but there have definitely been some extended moments.
But not lately because in a time of pandemic and chaos it has been a good refuge and offered opportunity to recharge my batteries, even if some fire dancing was required.
Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final”― Rainer Maria Rilke
