We recently sent an old bookshelf from our house to our daughter's new apartment.

It was an old bookshelf I bought used at a thrift store.

It is rich with history, dings, and uneven footing.

There was concern it might not even stay upright when placed on conrete floors.

My husband said, "Well, all it needs is a shim."

A shim is a small piece of wood that all carpenters know about ... because more often than not doors don't hang evenly, windows don't fit perfectly, something always needs a little shim; a little assist.

After he taught my daughter how to use the shim for the bookshelf, my wise husband said:

"You know, there is something beautiful in the shim. Nothing in life is perfect. If we are hoping for perfect, we will always be disappointed. Thus, the art of the shim. When something is wobbly or doesn't fit quite right, don't be distressed, just shim it."

He broke into a huge grin ...

We have been quoting "the art of the shim" for these last few weeks.

Nothing's perfect.

Just shim it.

Life's too short to be ruminate over imperfections.

Learn the art of the shim, friends ...