Den Lille Havfrue

My careful repair of "The Little Mermaid"

An earthquake shook the room where I had my precious, Little Mermaid, a commemorative plate from Denmark. The plate shattered.

I carefully swept up the pieces and placed them in my etched glass box of keepsakes.

My mother bought the plate for me, after one of their trips abroad. She said that”Den Lille Havfrue” reminded her of me.

Her meaning runs deep. I understand. If you know me, or even read, Paperdolls, you’ll understand some of her meaning also.

When the earthquake shook the house and the plate fell, I sighed. My sigh signaled an ending.

My mother has been gone several years, I thought one more remembrance of her was gone.

The last few days, I’ve been thinking about war and the insanity of war.¹ ² I thought of my little plate commemorating “Den Lille Havfrue,” with the shattered pieces in my keepsake box. I thought of the original bronze statue in Denmark that was built in 1913.

“Den Lille Havfrue” has stood watch during two world wars. Ironically, in recent years it’s endured intentional vandalism.³

Maybe she symbolizes more than my mother even saw.

I retrieved all the pieces. I didn’t have gold or colored glue for the full “Kintsugi” therapeutic experience but I carefully pieced her back together.

My commemorative plate. If you look closely you will see the cracks.

I had to hold each piece for several minutes for it to adhere. Then, I propped up each piece with books or notepads—so the curves would bond. I took breaks, and in time, all the pieces held. I let it sit for 24 hours. This morning, the cracks are strong.

I get the relationship between the broken pieces of ourselves, unhealed wounds and the practice of Kintsugi. It takes time. There is beauty in the broken.

There is hope. We are so much more than the bronze statue entitled, “Den Lille Havfrue.” You can continue healing, mending and repairing. Slowly, piece by piece, and with patience, you can heal. Your life is sacred and important.

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2. I want to be informed, but it’s a challenge to watch the news right now.

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Mermaid_(statue)