Late last week I was talking to my parents and showing them some things I’d purchased at the local craft store. Two of the items were 4 oz. mason jars. During the conversation, my dad asked me why I like glass jars and bottles so much. For the first time I had to articulate why I have such a fascination with these objects.

For one thing, I love the sound of the word glass. Like its texture, it’s smooth, hard, and solid. I love that glass is transparent because light is so beautiful when it shines through it. I love how mason jars are so elegant, yet simple at the same time.

Glass bottles and jars bring home feelings of nostalgia and comfort for me. They have “rustic” and “country” written all over them. My ancestors were farmers. We’re country folk. It’s in my genes.

Mason jars are so versatile, too. There have been hundreds of lists and tutorials going around the internet of all the many things you can use glass jars for: canning; storage for office supplies, toiletries, craft supplies, kitchen things; glasses for beverages; vases; centerpieces and other decorations; soap dispensers; lights; terrariums; need I go on?

When I get my own home, I most definitely want to do my own canning. I know children will make this difficult, but I want to use mason jars for a lot of things in my future home.

Glass is strong and hard. But it’s also fragile and breaks so easily.

Glass reminds me of humans. We’re all different. We have the potential to do and become many things. And though we are fragile, we’re also strong and beautiful.

We may shine, we may shatter;
We may be picking up the pieces here on after.
We are fragile, we are human.
We are shaped by the light we let through us.
We break fast ’cause we are glass.