Growing up in our 1980s twin home, our country-style kitchen was decked out in wallpaper with gold metallic accents. A square, 1-foot-wide golden Seiko wall clock held court. That clock became a fixture in my life. It was the one I checked each morning while eating breakfast, trying to decide if I had time to make another cup of tea before catching the bus to middle school. It was the clock I glanced at one last time as I left my childhood home to catch a plane to college. So when my parents told me it had stopped working and they replaced it with a new one, I immediately said, “Don’t get rid of it. I’ll get it fixed. Just bring it to Minneapolis the next time you visit.”
I went into research mode, determined to find the best repair shop in town. And along the way, I discovered I’m not the only one who has a beloved timepiece. I met people who own mantel clocks, grandfather clocks, even cuckoo clocks. Each one carries a story, a memory, a moment suspended in time. We all want these stories to live on. We want to pass on these clocks and the lives they’ve quietly witnessed from one generation to the next. I eventually found a local horologist, who shared expert tips on how to care for these treasured pieces and preserve them for many days to come, keeping our timepieces timeless.
That search made me realize something bigger: Every home holds its own treasures. As we approach Thanksgiving, it’s a good time to look around and notice what matters. Is there something, however small or overlooked, that holds meaning? A chipped teacup, a quilt, a kitchen tool, a clock? Pick it up. Remember its story. Share it with your family or friends over the holiday meal. Sometimes, honoring the objects we love is another way of honoring the people and moments we are grateful for.
Happy Thanksgiving.
—Feroza Mehta
