I drew this when I was 7, 8, or 9. […] It’s actually Rome because my father frequently, actually for most of my life, taught in Rome during the summers. So we would occasionally spend a couple of days with him and as a result of one of those trips I drew this little maze and its Trevi Fountain, the Wedding Cake, and Roman Forum. I gave this to his colleagues, I was really proud that could I make something for them because they love Rome.

I think about six months later I am presented with this framed map and actually being really upset at the time, because it was like “Wow they’re giving it back to me? They didn’t really appreciate it at all.” And so I just put it to the side and didn’t really think about it at all until I became older and realized that framing is really expensive […] they really put some time and care and thought into this. And so now 21 years later I have this little artifact from my childhood but it’s thanks to them.

This belongs in the Museum of Gifts you Appreciate Later in Life

Exhibited by Elisa Shoenberger

Transcript edited by Sarah Crawford