On My Mind: What Would I Take?

Another tragedy in the news this week  – in Moore, Oklahoma, where people lost everything within a matter of minutes.  So many things that couldn’t be replaced.  So many people who will never be forgotten.  Utter chaos and destruction.

Whether it’s a housefire, a tornado, a hurricane… anything that takes away everything whether it’s possessions or lives, makes us all stop and think.  Life is so precious.  We wonder, how do people make it through?  How do they keep going?

In the aftermath of the Oklahoma tornado, someone posted a photo on Facebook sharing that people she knew had gone down to help in the cleanup.  While surveying the destruction, they uncovered this sign:

“the most important things in life aren’t things.”

On some level – deep where our fingernails grow – we all know this.  Our loved ones, our pets, their health and safety – and ours, is of paramount importance.  In the grand scheme of things, nothing else matters.

But, what if, just what if when destruction like this comes along, you had those things of great sentimental value to you all pulled together, and assuming that your loved ones, friends and pets were safe… what would be the five things you would take?

I’ve been looking around trying to figure that out.  So many things that I love could be easily replaced.  But, what about the things that couldn’t?   What would leave a little hole in my heart if I never saw them again?  This is what I came up with:

• Photos – boxes and boxes of them from the beginning of time.  Just looking at them whether they were from my parents’ collection or my own, telling stories of time, they are precious.
• All of the love letters and cards from Bob since Day 1.
• A scrap book my Mom put together to chronicle my Dad’s service during World War II – photos, postcards, cards, love letters, newspaper articles, etc. – truly a story that happened before I was even born but rich with history.
• My wedding ring.  I remember meeting the designer artist who made it almost nineteen years ago – loving it then and still loving it.
• My cowboy boots from Back at the Ranch in Santa Fe.  Made to fit.  Feel perfect.  And, I’ll still be wearing them when I’m an old lady.

Yep, the most important things in life aren’t things.  They never will be.  And yet, it can still be a good exercise to look at all of your “STUFF” and decide what holds the most important space in your heart.  And, what you might be able to retire.

And, in the meantime… none of us are immune to tragedy.  Does that mean we go around expecting it to happen right around the corner and live our life in fear?  No, it means we savor every minute of every day, let the people we love know how much we love them, include laughter and play in each day, do what you can to make a difference in the world, and reach out to others.

And, while you’re at it…. send some much needed $$$ to Red Cross for their relief efforts:   Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief.