The Vase(JP Evans) The vase sat in the shelf for years. The lady whom it belonged to enjoyed having such a beautiful item on display in her home. She liked knowing it was there, just in case she wanted to fill it with flowers.

As the years passed, the lady had many other interests. The vase was still important to her, but she did not show it the care and attention that she once did. She filled it with flowers more seldomly and allowed the vase to collect dust. It wasn’t as exciting or as useful to her anymore. Aside from the occasional cleaning and filling with flowers once or twice per year, the vase began to be neglected. It was not appreciated as it once was, and it showed in how it was cared for.

All things have a purpose for existing, and the vase’s purpose was diminishing more and more with each passing day. It does not get filled with beauty to display. It is no longer a centerpiece for conversation that is prominently showcased even when empty as something the lady is proud of and happy to exhibit among her most prized possessions. The vase was drifting into an insignificant existence.

One day, the lady had a happy memory of when the vase was given to her. She decided to clean the vase, and perhaps get some fresh flowers to put on display in her once adored accompaniment. When she found it, neglected and dusty, the vase had lost its luster due to the lack of attention it had received over recent years. The coloration was not as vibrant, and the vase didn’t seem as sturdy and dependable as it had always been. It looked as though it could crack with the slightest agitation.

Saddened by what had become of the vase that she once loved, the lady vowed to restore her once cherished and prized item. She would make up for lost time and the neglect and she would put time and care into making the vase as special as it once was.

The vase, however, had grown weak. Without proper care, and having lost its purpose, it had become frail. Though she tried, the lady struggled to restore the shine to her beloved vase.

Frustration set in, which led to carelessness while the lady was handling the vase. She dropped it. Her beautiful vase shattered into an unrecognizable mess.

Tearfully, she apologized to the shards of broken glass. She promised to always clean it and fill it with flowers if only the broken vase could somehow come back to her.

The shattered glass that was once her cherished vase heard the lady’s words and wanted nothing more than to be what the lady desired. All the vase ever hoped for was to serve its purpose and add beauty and happiness to the lady’s life.

However, the lady and the vase both knew that time and neglect led to the demise of the vase, and it would never hold flowers again.

Though destroyed, the vase found new purpose. It had helped the lady realize the importance of loving things while they are available to love, rather than regretting having neglected them as you mourn their loss.

The lady would be ok…

And the vase felt purpose one last time.

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