Chap 45
The morning was colder than I had imagined, and the weather was subtly but noticeably clouding my mood. I found myself in the store, walking through the wide aisles, surrounded by shelves with everything a home needs: utensils, decorative items, furniture that would make any home more cozy. I was no longer counting pennies like before. The relief of no longer having to worry about the accumulated bills, the electricity, the rent, the anxiety of debts, made me realize how life had changed. Somehow, I felt like I had moved up a social class. An unusual feeling, but one that made me smile to myself, even without realizing it.
“I need some picture frames and something pretty for the centerpiece,” I said to myself, choosing the pieces with more care than expected. A vase of flowers, something simple, but that would bring life to the room.
I almost felt like I was choosing items for a future, a future that had once seemed so distant, but now seemed within my reach. The shopping cart was filling up, and I soon realized that the purchases were becoming more than just objects. They were symbols of a new life, something I had never experienced before. I went to the crafts section and, on impulse, chose materials for my next video. I wanted to capture the feeling of how these small things could turn into something more meaningful.
“I never imagined I could buy these things without worrying so much,” I said with an incredulous smile on my face. But the strangest thing was to realize that I was dealing with the costs naturally, as if it were a reflection of my new way of living. The pressure seemed to disappear.
After a lot of shopping, I went to the rental section and chose a party kit, with tables, chairs and tablecloths. It was something simple, but somehow it made me feel ready to celebrate my own life.
. In the end, before returning home, I developed several photos that had been kept for so long. Each one of them carried a different story, a piece of me that perhaps I had kept for a long time. Arriving home, I looked around. It was as if every corner of the house now had a reason for being. I wanted to share this with my followers, I wanted them to see what was happening to me, the small victories, the moments that were becoming big. I decided to start a live stream while I decorated the room, talking about each photo I chose to put in its place.
- I'm going to tell you a little about these photos that I put on the walls - I began, while the camera focused on the images and the simple and cozy decoration of my home.
The first photo I showed was an old black and white photo of my grandmother. She was young, smiling with a lively expression, with her hair tied in an elegant bun. The image had a touch of nostalgia, as if it captured not only a memory, but a piece of her essence. I picked it up gently and said:
- This is my grandmother. She was always very creative, and she always said that anything in life can be done with love. When I was younger, she taught me how to cook, sew, and even do crafts. This photo is of her when she was young, when she lived in the countryside. She loved to plant flowers and the most striking memory I have of her is when she taught me how to make a wind chime, one that I remember hearing in her house, in a huge garden full of roses. Every time I look at this photo, I feel as if she is still here, reminding me that creativity and affection are everywhere. The camera captured my soft expression as I watched her, feeling that nostalgic warmth. It was not just a photo; it was a story of love and learning. I had planted flowers in my garden like she did, and now the wind chime was my own way of honoring her. I smiled, gently touching the photo, and continued. - I remember very much how she taught me that art is everywhere, and so is life. Every little corner of my house is a way of keeping her alive inside me. The second photo I showed was more recent, a photo of me with Carla and Jane, my roommates. In it, we were all smiling, taking a photo after a long night of movie marathons. I commented to the camera:
- This one is from a night we had at the apartment. The three of us love a good movie session, and it was funny because, in the end, we ended up having a marathon of old comedies. I remember how I felt welcomed by these two. We were in a moment of change, of adjustments, but the feeling of being with them, laughing and talking about life, was like an escape valve. Sometimes, only their support helped me see the beauty in the little things.
I ran my hand over the photo, feeling the joy of the moment. Those nights were full of genuine laughter and small gestures of friendship that made everything lighter. The warmth of home was
there, in the simplicity of what we shared.
The last photo I revealed was a picture of me, alone, from a trip I took to the beach a few years ago. I was sitting on the sand, staring into the distance, almost as if I were reflecting on life. The soft light of the sunset enveloped my silhouette, and I commented as I pointed to the image:
- This one was taken on a trip I took, when I really needed some time alone. I had just gone through some difficult changes and went to the beach to rethink a lot of things. It was a moment of finding myself. I sat on the sand, looked at the sea, and realized that all I needed was to let time pass and give myself permission to be myself. Every time I see this photo, I remember that, in the end, it's about finding balance, even in the loneliest moments. Loneliness is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be a space for growth.
I smiled at the camera, feeling a sense of accomplishment. By showing these photos, I shared not only pieces of my story, but the lessons I had learned along the way. It was as if each one was a reminder of how past experiences shaped who I am today, how they helped me build the confidence I needed to get to where I am, facing challenges and celebrating victories, big and small.
And it was in that moment, as I hung the last photos on the wall, that I realized how much this simple act of recording and reflecting on what had been important in my life made me feel more connected to who I am and what I was building. It wasn't just a house, it was a space that, little by little, was becoming more full of meaning, stories and memories.
-These photos are not just memories. They are my roots, my foundation. They remind me of where I came from and who I am, and they help me keep my feet on the ground while I seek new horizons," I finished, looking at the camera with a satisfied smile. I ended the live and started the next filming, this time of a recording.
The backyard was silent, with the fresh morning breeze passing through the trees, and a feeling of peace took over me.
First, I prepared the environment. The backyard still bore the marks of the last cleaning I had done, and Carla's yellow rose bushes, which were now growing strongly, brought a renewed energy to the space. I placed the cell phone in the right position, with the tripod already adjusted, and took a deep breath. I felt that something good was about to happen.
-Hi, everyone! - I began, as the camera focused on me and the materials spread out in front of me. -Today I brought a really cool project, something that I'm super excited to share with you. We're going to make a wind chime, but not just any bell... today, we're going to use tubes of different metals so that the sound is more diverse, and I hope you can capture the difference between the sounds!
As I spoke, I showed the materials. There were PVC pipes, but there was also aluminum and copper, which I hoped would generate lower and more melodious sounds, respectively.
-To do this, we will need some basic things: strong rope, PVC pipes, aluminum pipe, copper pipe, a wooden base to hang the pipes and some colored beads, if you want to give your bell a special touch. But the big secret here is the different types of metal. Each metal will generate a unique sound, and that is what will give this extra charm to our project.
I looked at the camera and smiled. Excitement took over me. I laid the pipes on the table, arranging them in order. I showed the PVC pipes first.
-This one here, the PVC, is the simplest of all. It has a higher-pitched sound, and is super affordable. I cut it to 30 cm long, so that it is neither too low nor too high. It will be a good starting point.
I picked up the PVC pipe, shook it gently, and moved on to the aluminum.
-Here's the aluminum. Just look at the difference in weight... it's much lighter, but it has a very interesting resonance. Its sound will be more metallic and light. I chose this piece that is approximately 25 cm long. The sound will be softer, but very beautiful.
I showed the aluminum pipe on the camera and did the same test, tapping it lightly with my fingers. The metallic sound echoed in the room and I could already hear the difference there, in the silence of the yard.
Finally, I picked up the copper pipe, and the difference was even more evident.
-Now, the copper... copper has a deeper sound, but it's also a little warmer, you know? It resonates longer in the air. This pipe here is 35 cm long, and it will be one of the most interesting.
I was so excited that I even stopped for a moment to admire the soft glow of the copper in the sunlight. It looked even more beautiful than I had imagined.
- With these three types of tubes, we will create a unique melody. Now, the next step is to assemble our bell.
I started preparing the wooden base. I chose a piece of twig, which was quite rough.
stic, as I like, and I made holes in the ends to pass the rope through. The idea was to hang the tubes so that they would not touch each other, so that the sound of each one could be heard individually, but that, when the wind blew, they would mix harmoniously.
-Now, to hang them, we will tie each tube in a different way. For the PVC, which has a higher-pitched sound, I will leave it a little shorter, near the center of the base. The aluminum will go to the right end, with a little more space, so that the low sound of the copper does not interfere too much. The copper tube will go to the left end, because its sound will mix well with the other two.
Carefully, I passed the rope through the holes in the branch and tied each tube. The rope needed to be strong enough to support the weight of the tubes and also to ensure that they would hang evenly.
After tying everything, there was still the final touch: the colored beads. I loved these little additions. They not only decorated the bell, but also added a bit of sparkle to the whole thing, and in the wind, they would make a slightly rhythmic sound, like a finishing touch to the sound of the pipes.
-Now, just hang it up and test it. Let's see how it turns out.
I took the bell to the corner of the yard where the hose is and the wind was more constant, and the result was surprising. The sound was much more varied than I expected, with each pipe playing a different note, but at the same time they all came together to form a soft melody.
I looked at the camera, trying to capture the audience's reaction, and said:
-I'm so happy with the result! As you can see, the three types of metal really make a difference in the sound. PVC has that clear, high-pitched sound, aluminum is softer and more metallic, and copper... well, copper is magical. It has a deep, warm resonance. I hope you can hear the difference from where you're standing! As I spoke, the wind began to pick up a bit and the tubes began to sway, creating a soft music that filled the air.
-Seriously, guys, there's nothing more delightful than the sound of the wind in a bell you made yourself.
When I speak, I can't help but remember my grandmother and feel a soft, nostalgic smile involuntarily appear on my lips.
-If you try to make your own wind chime, don't forget to tell me how it turned out! I'd love to hear the differences in the sound of the materials you chose. See you in the next video!
I took one last look at the bell, listening to the sounds blend together, and let the breeze carry a little peace of mind inside me.