In a day when minimalism is becoming more and more popular, let us remember to not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
My children would say I have too much "stuff."
I thought my mother had too much "stuff."
And, while that may be true, let's not throw away all sentimental belongings in our quest to pare down. I'm blessed to own items that were my mother's, grandmother's and great-grandmother's. They evoke pleasant memories and provide an anchor reminding me of whence I came and the dedication my mother and grandmother had to building family.
A small red rocking chair with a woven bottom sits in my living room and is often the object of desire among the smallest grandchildren. It belonged to my mother who was born in 1934. In looking at that chair, and the fourth generation of children rocking in it, I consider the brevity of time and the importance of making our mark on our children and grandchildren. We of the older generation have an obligation, nay the privilege, to teach the younger generation of the importance of family.
When my daddy died in 1992, two dear friends bought a magnolia tree for me. We planted it lovingly and watched it grow and grow. It provided beautiful white blossoms year after year. It was recently cut down to make way for a new generation to build a house but my daughter and son-in-law/love thoughtfully had boards cut from the trunk and had a beautiful hope chest made from it with a plaque commemorating Daddy.
Belongings may be treasured, but the real treasure is family, relationships. And those treasured belongings hold value only as much as they remind us to cherish our loved ones.
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Editor's note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. She can be reached at [email protected].
Editorial on 08/21/2019