Mirror of Seirots

There is something almost magical about a room full of things with so many stories to tell, if they only had a voice. If you're really still, maybe they'll whisper a few words to you.

I closed my eyes as I entered the new antique store that had just opened. I thought it would be busier, but I guess not as many people love old junk as much as I do. (I say old junk with the utmost respect, I assure you.) I breathed in the scent of past days, and my heart settled a little. I smiled as I see some pyrex dishes and think of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon prime. "Such a good show." I sigh.

After browsing the books, and choosing a couple of Jane Austen leather bounds, I remembered seeing an old mirror in the display window and went to take a look. It was somewhat plain, but a good size and in decent shape. It would be perfect for my entryway table, especially with some Christmas decorations. I went up front to inspect the mirror and took a look at my reflection. I looked different...my clothes? I leaned closer. I'm wearing different clothes in the mirror! And a different hairstyle! But it was still me? I smiled. I frowned. I waved my fingers. Definitely me. But not me. I took a closer look at my clothes. What era is it? Not 2023, that's for sure!

Intrigued, I picked up the mirror and took it to the front desk. "Hi! This mirror doesn't have a price. How much is it?" The young woman working the cash register smiled "Oh! The previous owner asked us to give it to the first person to ask for it, free of charge. He said it was meant for them if they can truly see it. I have no idea what he meant. It's kind of ugly, but I guess if you want it, it's yours!" I handed her the books and my cash and she gave me my change, and I was out the door.

When I got home, I set it on the entryway table and gazed into my reflection again. Same thing. But the background is different now too. My kitchen, which just got remodeled right before I moved in, looked old fashioned, like a 1950's housewife could be in there baking bread. I turned around and it looked normal. I looked at myself again and saw that I was also dressed 1950's era. I looked like Midge Maisel! I was kind of living for it, honestly. But what the heck is this mirror???

I went into my bedroom to put my shoes away, thinking about how amazing it would be to actually LIVE in the era I could see in my new mirror, somehow completely accepting that this was normal and totally not weird. Then thought popped into my head that it would also be really cool to be in the Jane Austen era, and wear those high waisted gowns...an extraordinarily forgiving style, I must say. I glanced in the mirror as I go to make a snack and almost tripped over my own feet trying to stop. My surroundings had changed again! I looked like Lizzie Bennett on her way to argue with Mr. Darcy at the ball! What just happened??? I was thinking about Jane Austen and the outfits and..."did you read my mind?" The mirror didn't answer. Not that I actually expected it to. But...did the frame glimmer a little? I touched it gently, and ran my hand over the glass. It felt soft. As if I could push my hand right through it and enter the room I see on the other side. I can't remember if I touched it in the antique shop. I didn't think I had. In a moment of insanity, I pushed and the rest of me slipped through the glass as if it was just mist. And suddenly I was in the same room, but it's the other side...the furniture, the walls, everything is a perfect mirror of my home, but older. A woman marched up to me with her shrill voice, shrieking at me for turning down Mr. Collins's marriage proposal. In shock I stepped back, falling back through the mirror and land rather unceremoniously on my butt in the entryway. I looked around. Everything was back to normal.

I closed my eyes and try to think of another time period. "The 80's?" I opened my eyes. Nothing. I still looked like Lizzie Bennett. I closed my eyes again. I pictured myself in the Great Depression era and opened my eyes again. Still nothing. "Okay...maybe try a book again? Let's go with..." I flipped through my mental bookshelf, which is extensive. "Ah! Let's go with a fantasy book! Okay...I'm officially thinking about what it would be like to live at Hogwarts and be in Ravenclaw!" I said these words while peeking with one eye slightly open. The glass started to swirl and shimmer and I opened my mouth in completely awe. There I was. In my entryway, but there was now a trunk behind me, a wand in one hand and a ticket for the Hogwarts Express in my other. I had my Ravenclaw robes on and there was a snowy owl just like Hedwig in a cage sitting on top of my trunk. Heart beating fast, I closed my eyes again and thought of the Wizard of Oz and Dorothy. I opened my eyes again and there I was with the blue gingham dress and red pigtails! "Okay...books...movies...doesn't matter." I smiled, thinking about all the possibilities this mirror offered. I thought of my thankless daycare job and was tempted to just dive in and never come back...and then the sweet smile of my little boy filled my heart and mind and I thought "You know...I think life is just as good here...but that doesn't mean I can't have mini adventures along the way though. Elim's at his dad's house. Why not?" I closed my eyes one more time and thought of my favorite book. Opened my eyes and there she was. Lucy. I could see the wardrobe, open. I pushed my hand through, and walked into my first real adventure.