Entry #1: Jigsaw Puzzle

I woke up today, bored without much to do. I decided today I would do a jigsaw puzzle. I went to my puzzle stash, which I barely touch however I occasionally indulge in them. I began sorting through the boxes and one in particular caught my eye. It was a beautiful puzzle of a cozy cottage in mid day. Some cats and dogs are out doing their thing, and a small group of people sit around a table playing board games and enjoying the company. I thought to myself it was perfect, and decided to do it. I took the box back with me and opened it up, taking out the puzzle pieces. From there I began organizing them, edge pieces and colours. I won't lie, this is the least fun part of the puzzle process, but it must be done. After successfuly organizing my pieces, I asemble all the edge pieces. I like to try to imagine the full picture when the edge pieces are finished. It's a good mind exercise, and it's overall enjoyable. I then begin on the interior, satisfied when I get another piece to fit. Amazed at the wonderful scene beginning to unfold. This has been quite a relaxing time I reminisce as I near the end of the puzzle. I reach for the last few pieces and fit them in. I reach for the final puzzle piece, but to my dismay there's nothing there. How can this be? Maybe I forgot to take it out? I search through the box and it's completely empty. I look back at the puzzle and the gaping hole preventing the image from being complete. At the bottom left section of the puzzle, there is no piece. The last person surrounding the table is missing. Well this is extremely
annoying. It's incredibly disheartening to lack the only remaining piece needed to finish a puzzle. I'm not ready to give up yet though, often times the piece has fallen somewhere, or became mixed up with others. I retrace my steps to no avail, so I tear apart my puzzle stash sorting all the pieces to make sure I didn't misplace it. Still nothing. Irritated, I begin searching my whole house. I make sure not to forget any boxes or out-of-sight areas. Nothing, again. I feel a mild sense of insanity begin to creep up into my body. This wonderful puzzle may never be solved. I still reject the idea of giving up and begin looking in cabinets and drawers. I start downstairs checking all the kitchen cabinets, I cover the guest room drawers, wardrobes and virtually anywhere I can think of. There is still no puzzle piece in sight. I prepare for the last place there is the search, the drawers in my room. I open the drawer beside my bed, and a wave of contempt crashes over me. There it is, the final piece, among my ID and medications. I pick it up and examine it. It's the piece I reassure myself, it's the outline of an incomplete person and the colours of the clothing match the same one in the puzzle. Without wasting much time I excitedly hurry back to my puzzle. I reach out, puzzle piece in hand and place it right where it's supposed to go. That's weird? The puzzle piece didn't fit. It sure does look like it should, the shape is the same, the colours allign. Perhaps it's just a little stubborn, sometimes certain pieces need a gentle push to fit securely. I apply light pressure to the piece, yet it still doesn't fit. This is so strange, and not right. I hold the piece up again and examine it one more time. I also examine the missing part of the puzzle. It's perfect, this is the only piece that could and should fit. I try it again at all angles, even one's that don't fit the shape. I try one last time to place the piece where it belongs, yet so strangely it still does not fit. I'm nearing the end of my patience and in a desperate attempt I get a tape measure and measure both the piece and the place it should go. It matches up perfectly, this is not normal at all. I try with all my might to force that piece in but no matter what I do it just won't fit. I guess that's the fate of this puzzle. The person will never fit into its spot, and the jigsaw puzzle will forevermore remain unfinished.
It took me long enough to realize, but I finally did.
I am the puzzle piece that doesn't fit.