Well, it looks like Hurricane Rita will be heading right for me, unless it changes course. So, I have to start thinking about gathering up what is important and heading north.
But what is important? Yes, we will take the 2 dogs, cat, bunny and sugar glider. I need to locate all the vet records, shot records, etc. (and pray we can find a hotel that will let us bring in our pets)
I have to take the pictures. I am the only one left in my immediate family, so if I were to lose them they would be lost forever. Plus I have to gather up my boy’s baby books and baby pictures. All of that should fill a laundry basket.
Then there are all the personal papers - I can fit that in with the laundry basket with the pictures. And we will need to pack some clothes. Plus bring the computer tower and back-ups.
Those are the essentials. And it all has to fit in 2 cars.
That leaves all the rest.
Things that can’t be replaced. Things to big and numerous to be taken. Little things that can be tucked in…
The furniture and china my grandmother left me. A handpainted seashell that my grandfather brought back from one of his trips. He was a merchant marine and sailed the seas. The wooden box that a sweetheart made for my mother. Her mandolin. The embroideries that my father made. Oh, I need to find the necklace and earrings that he made for me. (he strung the beads in Christmas colors shortly before he passed away) And the book he gave me. (The Decameron of Boccaccido) His yearbooks from the USS Hornet and the USS Calvert.
And so much more, my memories. Things that represent my memories. Things I had wanted to pass down to the boys. Because once you leave, you don’t know if anything will be left when you come back.
I am reminded of the movie, The Quiet Man. Mary Kate wanted her dowry, it represented what she was, where she had come from, people she had known and loved.
“There’s 300 years of happy dreamin’ in those things of mine, and… I want them. I want my dream.”
I understand Mary Kate. Things. Yes, it’s just things and so much more…
How close are you to the coast? I’m on the northwest side of Houston (just south of Tomball), so I trust there will be everything here when I return. I’ve done a lot of soul searching this past month though, and realized that a lot of stuff is just “things” and I can live without them. Except pictures - I can’t live without pictures. No matter what happens, I’m taking those with me. Everything else will be ok, and if it isn’t - the memories live on.
(Of course, I say that now and I might feel very different in a week.)
Comment by Christine — September 21, 2005 @ 5:01 am
It’s amazing the value things can have just based on the memories we associate with them. There are quite a few things that while not important, if I had the chance I would have to take just based on that — pictures and the like. And of course Dolly!
Here’s hoping for all the best for you and your’s Vicki!
Comment by Cyndy — September 21, 2005 @ 9:38 am
Praying for the best for you and your family Vicki… I’m sure it’ll all turn out all right…
hugs,
Scarlett LeAnn
Comment by Scarlett LeAnn — September 21, 2006 @ 10:03 am