Jerry Rasmussen, on one of the earlier song writing threads, wrote that it was very important to listen to other people's ideas and conversations. He has the knack of seeing small things as symbols of people's lives. His excellent song, "Old Blue Suit" is a case in point. He heard one day about how the family planned to bury a relative in his old suit. So Jerry used it as a symbol of a life of decency and accomplishment.
That would fit in with what you are saying mgas.