We're moving! It is a
process we have done many times before, but it is not easier because of
experience. Moving is a transition that
forces us to sift through all our earthly and material possessions. We made categories and choices based on rather subjective
criterion: throw it, sell it, give it away,
or pack it and move it.
Though we have downsized several times previously, we still have
a rather large volume of "stuff" including many things collected over
the years in the places where we traveled and lived. So memories get stirred up as we handle these
items and make decisions. There are also
hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures,
files, books, letters, pieces of art, along with a few family heirlooms.
When we left Ecuador 22 years ago, we contracted a moving
company to pack and ship our things. We
still have some of those shipping boxes and we chuckle as we see that many have
the words "adornos y varios"
written on the sides. Adornos are the many artifacts, pictures,
carvings, baskets, weavings, etc, that one buys to beautify the home. We don't "need" any of them. In fact we really don't have room on our
walls and shelves for all of them, so some have been in boxes the last
years. But we are the only ones who have
an emotional attachment to them. Of the
numerous boxes of these "treasures" we have either given away or sold
(very cheaply), the new owners will not know the "stories" about them
as we do. Judy even went through the
abundant supply of jewelry she has accumulated from many countries over the
years and gave some of it away during our moving sale.
We have perhaps shed about a quarter of our belongings these
last few weeks, but as we continue to pack the rest, we are amazed and somewhat
dismayed by the large amount we still have in our possession.
Yet it is a good exercise to revive and share the memories,
and without too much hesitation, let some of these things go. As we grow older we gradually give up
material things and focus more on the essentials . We are mightily thankful that we don't live
in need as we are aware of the hunger of millions around the world for food,
security and peace.
As I sit here on the first day of autumn in our old house in
Sheridan, Montana, (soon to be vacated we think), the lawn outside our window is slowly getting
covered with yellow leaves falling from the large ash tree in our yard.
It is a beautiful sight to see the transition of the season,
as the trees give up their leaves, the grass stops growing, and the vegetable harvesting
is being completed in our community garden and in the fields by local
farmers and ranchers.
I feel no envy of those who are rich, nor covet what is my
neighbor's (8th commandment) - just thankful for what is most important in life
- so far in good health, love of wife and family, the beauty of creation around
us, and the grace of God in all things.
