What's Left In Your Suitcase?

I recently read an article about an asylum in New York where, in 1995, they found luggage dated from the 1800’s (If you want to read the article, go here http://www.wimp.com/suitcasefound/. It’s pretty cool.). Anyway, the story talks about the really interesting stuff they found in these suitcases that were left at the asylum by the inmates who had passed away there. Interesting as in strange. There was a clock, shoe polish, clothes, photos (of course) and a broom (?), among other things. Yes, you absolutely need to read it.

So it got me to thinking…as things of this matter always do…what I would leave in a suitcase for people to find a hundred or more years later? This is pretty much what I came up with. Just off the top of my pointed head.

First, I would leave my Bible. Because one, I write a lot of personal thoughts in there. Not always something that anyone would understand, except maybe my kids, but I can imagine a stranger in the future thinking “Was this lady nuts?” Of course, the answer would be “no but she was a little ‘different’”. And two, because they will need to read it because it’s important.

Family photos because what’s a time capsule-ish leftover without a few pictures. Then the futuristic ones can laugh at the style of our clothes and hair. And remark on how exceptionally beautiful my family was. Not me, of course. I have no illusions about beauty (mine is inner). But my babies are just gorgeous.

One of my favorite books. I haven’t decided which one yet but it has to be, I think, something that has no historical meaning whatsoever. Because basically, too much history is boring. I’m thinking a fluff novel or something like that. One that makes these people ask “What’s a cell phone?” or “Cars moved on land?” or “They actually gave birth to their children?” Or…”What the hell is a throbbing manhood anyway?”

I was considering a computer, laptop type, but they would probably laugh at how prehistoric our technology was. I mean, they are most likely going to be flying around sort of George Jetson-like, being beamed up like Scotty. Their computers are going to be so over the top that Cox Bundle is going to look like the stone age. I wonder if they are going to call this century the stone age? We call it digital but we are so backward compared to what they have, right?

How about a paycheck? Oh, hell no. I don’t mind them thinking I’m crazy but to have them know how little I earned is not going to happen. Then they’ll be thinking “She was not only nuts but she was stupid too. Look at how small her earning potential was.”

My curling iron, flatiron, hair dryer and hot rollers. Just because. By then they won’t be operational anyway. Give those new age people something to scratch their heads about. “She was into torture?”

Well, that’s pretty much what I’ve come up with. By now you are shaking your head and wondering if perhaps I should stop reading articles that give me ideas. But I won’t. And sooner or later (and I’m sure it’ll be sooner), I’m going to come up with another blog about some inane idea that will have you shaking your head. But before I do, I will ask you this … what would you leave behind? What would your suitcase hold?

What Are You Thankful For?

I recently read a book by Max Lucado called Before Amen (Good book, you should read it). In one chapter, he listed things he was thankful for by the alphabet, which I thought was a really cool idea. So I decided to make up one of my own. It took me a long time because it’s not something that just comes to your head…at least not to mine. I did a lot of thinking and here is what I came up with.

A: Animals. We’ve had cats, dogs, bunnies and guinea pigs as pets. I’ve watched deer and turkey in my yard and birds in the sky. Chased cows, pigs and chickens. Doesn’t matter. They are all beautiful. Except for vultures. Nasty looking things.

B: My Bible. The answer is always in there and no matter how many times I read it, I learn something new. When I was growing up, it was sacred…as it should be. You kept it pristine, which is not necessary, as I now know. The one I use? There are so many notes written in the margins to remind me of where I was when I read that part or things that I didn’t understand and looked up. It’s a Max Lucado Bible, ironically enough.

C: Cats. Specifically the strays that come to my door every day begging for food. In the last three years, they have gone from running when they saw me to rubbing against me and asking to be petted. They show me a lot of love and make me miss my pets from my former life a lot less. And chocolate. Because what would the world be without it?

D: Daughters. Mine. Deanna and Deb. Two of the three loves of my life. They make me proud. They make me laugh, they make me cry. They make me angry and frustrate the hell out of me. But most of all, they make me feel loved and like I did something extremely right in my life.

E: Elijah. The interruption in my sleep. The mess in my house. The stain on my carpet. The ache in my bones (after football or wrestling or ninja battles). But mostly? The third love of my life. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s interesting. He’s just the best.

F: My faith. Necessary for all things in life. And forgiveness, both giving and getting.  And fruit. And fun.

G: God. What can I say? Without Him, I would have nothing, be nothing.

H: Happiness. I have it now and I’m so thankful for it.

I: Imagination. I was blessed with a great one. It’s kinda wacky. A little out there. I love using it.

J: Jesus. The greatest gift anyone could ever receive. Who else would make such a sacrifice?

K: Knowledge. I’m not the smartest crayon in the box but I have some knowledge to pass on to my kids. Keyboard is another one. My musical one, so I can play the music I love and my laptop one so I can communicate with my friends and family. And also write the silliness that keeps popping up in my head.

L: Love from my family and laughter. Mostly when the two go together. We have an ample supply of both in our house.

M: Money to pay my bills. Why would I put this on here? Because I work hard to earn mine. And for that, I’m thankful. For both the opportunity and the ability. There’s not much left at the end of the bill paying but we make it.

N: Naps. When I have the opportunity to take one. They refresh me. They give me all too rare time to myself.

O: Oliver. I’m not going to elaborate on this one. I’m just thankful.

P: My parents. They loved me. They raised me to be the strong person that I am. They taught me right from wrong. And I miss them so much.

Q: Questions from my little guy. Especially the ones that I’m able to answer. These days, that’s asking a lot because he really is a smart and thoughtful young guy.

R: Rest at the end of a long day. If I’m lucky enough to get some. I’m happy to get what I can. Along with root beer. A&W is the best.

S: My salvation. It’s mine and can never be taken away from me.

T: Tears. I shed them on a regular basis. They cleanse me. And relieve my stress. And my tattoos. Cause they’re pretty.

U: Ugliness. Because it helps me to realize how much beauty there is in the world. And it helps me to see that beauty more clearly.

V: Vegetables that are so yummy in my tummy. Now if I could only get Elijah to eat them.

W: The words that constantly roll around in my head, occasionally coming out to form a blog or add a chapter to one of my books. Sometimes they even make sense.

X: Exits that will take me on my next journey. Yeah, it doesn’t start with x but it’s close. And I believe my journey is even closer.

Y: You. Yes, you. The one who is reading this right now. If it weren’t  for you, I would have no reason to write. And yogurt. One has nothing to do with the other. I just love yogurt.

Z: My zest for life. I am living the life I was always meant to. I am enjoying it. I am happy. Oh, and zoos. Because they are filled with all those lovely animals.

This is my list. Do you have one? Maybe mine made you think about your own. I certainly hope so because if it didn’t, then what’s the point? Thanks, Max, for getting my thoughts rolling. It was an awesome exercise.

So Now He's Six

I wrote a while back about Elijah’s obsessions throughout his short life and we have more of them as he grows. He has always been an interesting little guy, making us proud at every opportunity. Grabbing knowledge like it was food for his soul. I think he is a geek, if one so young can be called such. What other six-year-old walks around counting everything or spelling his sight words at the top of his voice? Telling his Pap Pap about the adventures of the Anaconda or describing the size of a tooth from the Megaladon (which, incidentally, is the largest whale to ever swim the oceans)? Well, he turned six years old this month and he is still showing the same intensity in everything he does and, while he is still wanting to visit his fire and police stations, his focus has changed to other things.

How about garbage trucks? His whole fifth year was learning about the garbage trucks. Our trash collector comes anywhere from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. on Monday’s and Friday’s. No matter how early, there’s a boy in the window watching. And then telling us about it in a loud shriek. Early in the morning. Before coffee.

He’s borrowed every DVD in the library that has a garbage truck in it. We now know how they are built. We know where they are built. We’ve learned about front loaders and rear loaders and their functions. But his personal favorite is the automated side loader. Yes, he has a favorite refuse collector. For those of you who may not have ever seen one, it has a robotic arm that swoops up your trash can, empties it into the truck and deposits it gracefully back on the sidewalk, thereby eliminating the need for the additional trash man riding the back in between stops. I actually had to follow one of those smelly things home once so he could observe the process. What we do in the name of love.

Hello, music. Of course, his love of music goes way back. Since his introduction to the Imagination Movers…if you don’t know who they are, you best be scrolling through my blogs to learn… at about eight months of age, music has been in his life. And we are a music loving family. But of course Elijah being Elijah, he has to take it one step further. He eats pizza and makes up a song about what pizza is or what’s on it. He sees something on TV and right away he’s singing about it. Commercial jingles. Movie soundtracks. He’s on it. This is in addition to knowing every word to every song the Movers have ever released.

            

           

But the latest real obsession is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He was Donatella for Halloween. Our Christmas included two, yes two, Shell Raiser vehicles, stickers, ninja dudes, masks, swords, jammies and a sweatshirt…you name it, he got it. His Christmas money was spent on a large sized Rafael and a helicopter thing with buckets for ooze. His sixth birthday? TMNT sheets, comforter, throw, tattoos, Michelangelo and birthday cake…along with the appropriate decorations, napkins and plates. He spent his birthday money on a shell. That he refused to take off once he got to the cashier (she had to scan it while it was on his back). Wherever we go, he wears a mask, and now his shell, and carries a sword. We attract a lot of attention.

                                                     

Along that line, he has a mild, if anything Elijah does can be considered mild, romance with the Power Rangers. Who, incidentally, fight the ninjas. He has every color, with weapons included. Our battles of the rangers and the ninjas rage long and loud.

I wonder, as always, how long the latest “thing” will last. How long I will be transporting a ninja turtle to Target or the mall. How long will he scan the insert that comes with each turtle looking for next winner? How long will I be waging war as a power ranger against the mighty ninja turtle dudes? It doesn’t matter. As long as Elijah is along for the ride…or driving the shell raiser…I’m willing to play along. He has such style and energy, you can’t help but love it. And him.