After my last post where I was reflecting on the origin of the circular motifs in my work, I started to experience nostalgia for my childhood toy. The one that had started it all.  

As a result, I went and asked my sisters if they remember the toy I’d described to you in my last post. Both of them don’t. But, I wasn’t surprised. Like I said in my previous post, I was super attached to this toy and I spent hours with it. It might have been mine specifically or for all three of us to play with. Whatever the case was, it doesn’t matter. What I certainly remember is no one played with that toy as much as I did. So, it’s no wonder I remember it so well. And no surprise that neither of my sisters does. 

The Search for a Childhood Toy

But because no one except me remembers this toy, I needed to prove to myself that this thing wasn’t just a figment of my imagination. Anytime I’ve described the toy to other people, they either say it sounds like a Spirograph or an Etch-a-Sketch I’m talking about. And each time, I’ll have to say, No. It’s both. Ultimately, I had to summon Google’s help. In fact, because I remember it so well, it wasn’t hard for me to describe it to Google and let it help me find my toy. After just a couple of minutes, going down a few rabbit holes, there it was on my phone screen, just the way I remembered it. 

Overcome with Nostalgia

I can’t tell you how excited I was to see it. The nostalgia for my childhood toy had brought me full circle to this moment. I was immediately thrown back in time. Suddenly, I was that 7 year old girl who was so fascinated by the infinite possibilities of intersecting circular shapes. That idea that I could draw anything I wanted with a simple toy. It was all coming back. It was pure joy. The hours and hours of creating something out of nothing. I hadn’t dreamed it up. No. It wasn’t just a figment of my imagination. It’s a real thing. It exists. And it’s exactly the way I remembered it. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve found it and I’m speechless. 

My eyes welled up with tears. I’ve found my toy.

Till next time,

Warmly,