All the pieces lie before me. An infinite puzzle that has been there for as long as I can remember.

Some parts are fairly easy, as if each piece was calling out to be placed next to its siblings, one after the other. The scenes those pieces conform often feel familiar, natural, like they were always meant to be like that. Like I was always supposed to see them, and doing so triggered so many different emotions in my mind: most of them of relief or joy, while others bring out a tint of sadness and loss. Even so, I would not have them be anything else than what they are.

However, at times I come across pieces that are completely unknown to me. No matter how hard I look, I cannot seem to identify the pattern, the shapes, the colours, the scenes. I wonder if perhaps they do not belong in my puzzle, or worse, if they belong but I will never be able to place them. So I put them aside, wishing for a stroke of inspiration that never comes.

As time goes by, those pieces start piling up like a mountain, growing out of my control. From time to time I would have a look inside the pile, but my efforts were always in vain. It became overwhelming. That is why I decided to ignore those pieces, hiding them in a dark corner of my mind. “After all, I do not need them. I am perfectly happy with just the rest of the puzzle,” I would tell myself.

Lies.

No matter how much I try to ignore them, deep down I know it bothers me. A reminder of my failure.

But recently, something has changed. The pile, once titanic, does not seem to grow anymore. In fact, I get the impression that its size has diminished, with pieces disappearing. And where the puzzle previously presented gaps, void of all colour, some shapes have started to form, as if someone had been slowly placing the pieces I could never handle.

I stare in silence, wondering who would do such a thing. And, most importantly, why?

That’s when I notice it. Two hands, tenderly grabbing piece after piece and carefully placing them exactly where they belong, without hesitation.

Then I realize, those pieces were also meant for my puzzle. But maybe, they were not meant to be placed by me.