Maybe it was because my college roommate Kimmie managed to take home, piece by piece, a 12 place setting of dishes from the cafeteria in her purposely bookless backpack. Or maybe it was just because they were so pretty, these little blue hand-made Japanese bowls that were placed in front of us at the restaurant yesterday. But I must admit, there was a split second speck of my brain that wondered if one, or maybe two, would fit inside my purse. I said it out loud, more of a compliment really, and perhaps a way to police my actions. Once they had been filled with soy sauce, the urge subsided, and I enjoyed the meal for the brief and impermanent gift that it was. And the more I think about it, it’s probably why we have the urge for these things. From restaurants or hotels. To keep the precious moments alive. Like the objects could delay or prevent the loss of time.

Stomach and heart full, I left the restaurant with only the items that I brought in. Perhaps as a nod, or a little gift from the universe, when I went for my afternoon walk, the woman on the podcast I was listening to started to talk about how much she loved the mug that her drink came in at the restaurant she visited the night before. I was already laughing, and continued to listen. She told of how on the bottom of the mug it said “If you steal this mug, you will be charged $150.00” I am not alone on this planet. Still wanting it desperately, she asked the waiter if she could simply buy it for the $150.00. He gave her the information to contact the person who actually makes the mugs. Her sense of urgency urged her to ask another waiter, only to get the same response. Even she knew that it sounded crazy, and I knew that it sounded crazy, but oh how delighted I was to listen.

In the end, she ordered from the website as instructed. I mention it only because I think it shows what lengths we will go to in order to connect, to be a part of something, to keep experiences alive. And I smile, because in telling my story, and hers, maybe you think of your own stories, and we do all actually connect. And none of it is by hoarding, but by sharing. Nothing has to be stolen, neither hearts nor moments, because life just keeps on giving.