Keys

January 27

I am thankful for keys and the symbolism of them. I like them, especially old ones. I don’t collect them but I can never bring myself to throw away old useless keys which unlock old locks that I don’t have access to or keys from my long abandoned old cars, houses, etc. Therefore, I have a box full of old keys. Many of which I don’t even remember what they were for. I also have a lot of my dad and mom’s old house and car keys. I cannot bring myself to throw them away.

I like to think it’s because of the symbolism that keys represent, the more obvious one-that keys unlock (and lock) doors. Unlocking a door allows you to go someplace you can’t go. To lock a door means to provide protection to you, your family, and your belongings.  So my thought is that keys unlock doors-they open new avenues, new opportunities for us. And they provide protection. How could anyone throw something like that away? But maybe it’s just me - the ultimate pack rat.

When I was a young boy, I found an antique skeleton type key in a hole in the trunk of an old tree in my hometown of Edinburg, Indiana. I saved it for years. Somehow I don’t know what happened to it but I don’t have it anymore.  I never found out how it got there or what lock it was to but I used to imagine stories about the possibilities. Maybe one day I will write a story about that. So not only do keys lock and unlock doors, they also hold memories and history within them. And maybe a little bit of mystery.

my keys

i’ve got the key to the city

i’ve got the key to your heart

now if i could only find

the key that makes the car start!

© rt tulley