Wooden Airplanes

While working last week, I ventured out of the office and on to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore floor. As I wondered the aisles, there was an older gentleman in the home improvement section looking through some storm drains. I noticed a slight look of concern on his face. His name is Mr. Mitchell and the following is the conversation we had,

Me: Do you need any help or have any questions?
Mr. Mitchell: How much is this piece of piping?
Me: I'm not sure, but I can check with the register and tell you how much it is.
Mr. Mitchell: Great, I LOVE THIS STORE!
Me: Well, BRILLIANT! When did you first come here?
Mr. Mitchell: Today, it's my first time I have ever been here.
Me: Wow, love at first sight.
Mr. Mitchell: Let me explain, let me show you something.

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a photo-book. Before he opened the book, I assumed he was going to show me pictures of his grandchildren. Nope, he opened the photo-book to show me pictures of wooden rocking airplanes, like the ones little kids can ride. They were identical to the ones someone could purchase out of a catalog.
He flipped the pages and showed me the differences between each plane. Each one was individualized with different paint combinations for the strips and body of the plane, along with a finishing coat of shellac to make it shine. He explained that his doctor told him to get a hobby when he retired, so he started making these planes for children. By the looks of the planes, it was as if he had been making them for years, but in reality he had only been making them for ten months. We chatted a little longer, and then I took him to the register to find out the price of the storm drains.
Mr. Mitchell's passion for those wooden rocking planes was a glimpse into his love and attention to detail for others. Like the photo-book, I hope that all individuals somehow carry around what they love in their back pocket. Whether it be a tattoo or a necklace, these things invite people to have conversations. It gives us the opportunity to share what we love with them, which is a vulnerable position to be in. Is that such a bad thing? Perhaps the more willing we are to share with others, the more others will be able to share with us. Whatever it is we share, whether it be wooden airplanes or pictures of the baked goods we just made, it can positively impact others. If we are willing to share in the first place, think of how many conversations will begin to take off.