All Grown Up

I suppose I have always had a fascination with furniture. Thinking back to when I was a little girl, I always wanted a Barbie playhouse, one with all the bells and whistles. I wanted my dolls to have the latest kitchen and living room accessories. They needed to have the hottest trends in bedding and the coolest dining set.

Between my own toys and those of my friends, we built Barbie communities with working light fixtures and a pool. We even had one car for the neighborhood to share. There was always a new home accessory to add to the collection, a new room layout to try. Playing with the furniture was almost as important as the dolls themselves.

I have since grown up and put away such childish things. My toys were given to younger family members around the world, so now the next generation can enjoy them. And I see the same thing happening as an adult. Heirlooms are passed from one generation to the next. Furniture can be a legacy, a source of pride and happiness, and a connection between people. Whether it is a childhood experience, or a vital part of adulthood, those are experiences that define who we are today and who we will be tomorrow.