Sometimes, I am forced to reassess what I think that I know based on my experience and long years of living. Today is an example.

I am fond of boxes and chests made out of cedar. I have several large cedar chests and quite a few small chests. About a week ago, I found a vintage cedar bank at a flea market; it was a promotional item back in the day and has "Wells Fargo Safe" emblazoned on the front. It has a locked lock but no key.

Henry (my seven year old grandson) was here today and spied the bank. He was vastly disappointed that there was no key, especially as he could hear something rattling inside. We tried picking the lock with a yarn needle to no avail. I told him that short of having a locksmith open it, we were out of luck. He opted for the locksmith, but I paid about $5 for the chest and was not about to pay a smith to open it.

Henry and I are fond of keys; my interest is largely symbolic but Henry likes to lock things and open them. I have a small treasure chest full of small ornamental locks and keys; Henry was sure that one would open the lock.

I, being a reasonable adult, had not even considered this, and I counseled him that it was nearly impossible that any of the keys would open the lock. He was not deterred. We tried key after key and none did work. However, he said, "This one is really little and I think it will work." I smiled indulgently at his seven year old optimism.

He tried it and said, "It works!" I was incredulous and doubtful but by golly, it had opened the lock! A cheap charm meant for a bracelet opened the decades old cedar bank.
The rattling noise was a penny (not vintage).

As adults, how often do we discard ideas because they seem nearly impossible? What have we lost and how do we limit ourselves by doing so? What keys have we pushed aside?