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?
