In my spare time... (Patreon)

I'm restoring an old chest that I found. From the name on the front, I managed to find the passenger manifest of a 1924 ship which travelled from London to Melbourne, via the Suez Canal.  It was owned by a young man starting a new life in Australia.

The exterior was so dry that I assumed it was just wood but it's actually covered in leather. The chest was solid but needed some repairs underneath and inside as well.

Interestingly, the words "Not Wanted" were printed on the outside. I initially thought it meant the trunk was junk but, in fact, it just meant that it wasn't needed during the 6-week sea journey. Inside, the chest was filled with precious books and memories for the owner's new start in Australia.

So, here's a thought ... if you ever feel 'not wanted' in life, remember your journey isn't over yet.