March 2024. A Saturday in the city. We were in that part of town specifically for the multi-story bio-organic store. A large toy store caught our eye, and we might have walked past, since it really seemed primarily for children, but through the window, I saw the most adorable ceramic creatures. I specifically remember the shark. We had to go inside.

We navigated through the swarms of little children and their parents, perusing the aisles of toys, around to the side section we saw through the window. There it was, a shelf full of adorable ceramics. Turns out they were piggy-banks, with a slit in their tops and rubber stoppers in their bottoms. It didn't matter their intended purpose. I saw this snail, I saw its smile, and I knew it was coming home with me.

I had a stupid grin on my face, holding this snail with both hands like a treasured box of cake. As we passed some employees on the way to the cashier they smiled, asking if we were saving up for something special. No, no special reason. It was just cute.

People say that one of the best parts of being an adult is having the freedom and money to buy things that make you happy. But do people talk enough about how sometimes small, unexpected, silly things bring you the most joy?