One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

Aug 23, 2015 | Welcome Column

It’s hard to find a place in California that is not on fire, covered with ash or blanketed with smoke. The drought continues with no sign of relief. Our daughter, Joanna, and her husband lived and worked at Hume Lake Christian Camp during the first five years of their marriage.  This camp, which is located in Sequoia National Forest, is in imminent danger from the Rough Fire.  As Joanna wrote on Facebook, “Hume holds a special place in our family’s heart.” She went on to tell about the cabin her husband’s grandfather built there, the Lakeview Chapel where her in-laws were married, the Little Brown Church where she and her husband renewed their wedding vows, and how both of their children were born during their stay at the camp.  Indeed, if the camp were to be burned to the ground, they would still have their fond memories and pictures but they could never return to the same landmarks that are dear to their hearts.  I recently posed a question to my Facebook Friends; “If you were told to evacuate your home and you only had a short time to pack, besides your family and beloved pets, what things would you take with you?” My CBAfriends were predictable, nearly all of them mentioned their favorite musical instruments. I had to laugh at the response from my friend Jon Jeffries, a guitar picker and singer. He said, “things that start with G and end in S.” Most of us have multiple instruments, that not only have a big replacement value but we do become attached to them sentimentally. My Native friends mentioned their basket and regalia collections. These are things that have been handed down through the years and are virtually irreplaceable.  Many of the items mentioned by friends were things that had mostly sentimental value such as paintings, quilts or needlework done by family members or other items related to family history.  Other things that topped the list were laptops, flash drives, important documents and photo albums.Only one of my friends listed very practical items such as

her purse, phone, a pillow, bible, and overnight bag with necessary toiletries
and clothing.  I hope that doesn’t mean
that my picking friends will be off their meds, left with morning breath, no
money, no place to lay their head, and wearing yesterdays undies.  I guess they could take their fancy
instrument and do some busking in front of the nearest Walmart and buy the
necessities. 

There are many songs that have to do with our relationship

with “things.” Here’s a few that came to mind: “Put my little shoes away,”
“Family Bible,” “A few old memories,” “These old pictures,” “Old love letters,”
“Gold watch and chain.” I’m sure you can think of some too. 

The things that we get attached to sort of define us, don’t

they? As we get older, our value system changes.  The things that seemed so important twenty
years ago begin to lose their significance today, in fact they become a burden
to us or we become a slave to them.  I once
knew an elderly couple that had a house filled with “stuff” they had
accumulated over many decades of marriage (much like us).  One day their house caught fire and they
escaped with minor burns.  They said that
it was at that time; they realized what was truly important in their lives.  They went so far as to say that the house
fire “freed” them up to enjoy the things that really mattered.  They rebuilt the house and furnished it with
necessities but when they left for town or to an appointment, they didn’t even
lock their door.  I’m a long ways from
having that attitude but I am gaining my freedom and receiving much joy from
giving things away.  I have even given
away some musical instruments, that is a biggie for me.  As the lyrics in the song “Fallen Leaves”
say, “To your grave there’s no use taking any gold; It’s no use when it’s time
for hands to fold. When you leave this world for a better home some day, the
only thing you’ll take is what you gave away.”

As I pondered the question I had posed to my friends, I had

to think about what I would grab in the few minutes I had if required to
evacuate.  So it was down to my Native
Indian baskets, a couple guitars, important documents, photos and
medications.  Not necessarily in that
order.  Perhaps it’s a good idea for us
all to have an overnight bag already in our car with clothing, medications and
toiletries. If you have small pets, pack for them too.

I’ll leave you with partial lyrics to an old Jimmie Rodgers

song, “You and my old guitar.”

Over the land we wander first here and there
But I never stop to ponder if theclouds are dark or fairIn a one-horse town or city,
No matter where we areI’m happy if I have with me, you
And my old guitarWe’ll travel the roads together
Leading to lands afarSinging in all kinds of weather and strumming my old guitar
Here we go, just we three, oh how happy we will beI’ll hook my ladder to a silver
Star and climb with you and my old guitar.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the CBA Fall Camp-Out.  Let’s hope that the smokeclears and that the EZ ups will be there for shade or to keep the rain off.  God bless.

 

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