*sigh*



My folks are moving far away.  Sure they're only a few hours by plane but
nevertheless.  I guess I've got the pack-rat gene.  I went over there
a couple weeks ago to help clear out everything in my room.  So yesterday
went back to continue the monumental undertaking we all knew this would
become.  I had to go through a lot of my old things.  You know the
feeling of searching boxes to discover that "Oh hey! I didn't expect to
see this ever again".  Only this last trip was a little less than
enjoyable in some respects.  A couple years ago things were moved out of
the garage to make room for other things of supposed greater importance. 
I won't lay any blame, that's not what this is about.  It's not about me
crying about spilt milk either.  Anyway, two years being outside does bad
things to stuff.  Even being under a tarp did little to preserve this vast
pile of belongings in boxes.  The very epitome of the verse "where
moth and rust doth corrupt".  It was not so much that you had to get
rid of the stuff, because that's a fact of life.  It was more emotional
seeing things which bring back feelings of warmth and happiness now molding
from the onslaught of the elements.  The books from childhood memories of
staying at grandma's house and reading the book about cars and trucks and
things that go.  About my little league baseball gear.  About my old
math books.... well, actually pouring gas and igniting those books wasn't so
bad.  Books to be burnt and old stuff to be taken to the dump.  Then
of course I had to think about the irony of it all.  How much we want that
new things at the time and will do anything to get another material good but
for what.  I suppose it's good to have nice things and a lot of that was
just normal things but they held some meaning.  Nothing’s wrong with
having good things either.  Perhaps the lesson could be to care for your
stuff better and to not let things just fall through the cracks to the point
where their only resting place is the dump.  But don't all things
eventually end up there?  I suppose but aren't there some things which are
symbolically sacred?  You could always pass on things to people you love
or who are in greater need than you are.  I guess in the end the moral is
to keep the memories with you as much as you can.  Things and objects will
pass on and while they exist they serve the purpose of rekindling those
feelings and performing their specific job, you need to savor the memories and
strive to pass on whatever emotional blessings you have received to others you
will encounter.  Don't become dependent on your belongings for
comfort.  Store your treasures inside yourself and other people. 
While other people will also pass it is the single best things you can do to
bring additional life into others lives.  There is so much death and we
are in the midst of a world in turmoil.  Care for those you know and don't
take things for granted. I know this is corny but it helps me think through it
all.  I'll continue to try to understand.  Thank you for your time.