Let It Go

There comes a time in the course of human events we are called to assess the things in our life that matter. My life is full of useless things, some of them sit around all day collecting dust and some of them require oxygen to survive. I’m pretty sure there is a law against doing away with useless persons so I will keep things legal for now. I collect tchotchkes, or in the Southern vernacular doodads, and I have a pretty good doodad collection accumulated through the years. Most of the material things I possess have lost their importance over time and my “onetime yearnings” have become obsolete. In other words, it is time to unstuff myself. The operating guideline is if an item is being used, keep it, if not, let it go.

Over the years, I have experienced various phases in the accumulation of my collections. There were periods of “passion,” such as anything Disney related, Lenox china collections, Longaberger baskets, University of Alabama memorabilia, elephants, witch hats and brooms, and silver pieces. I have always thought that gadgets are important to own and operate, but hard to get rid of when they become outdated. Electronics including old i-phones, VCRs and tapes, a stereo set complete with an 8-track tape player, old computers and printers are all there as if they would someday become useful again or necessary for entertainment. Then I progressed to lawn furniture with wrought iron tables, chairs, pots and antique sewing machine stands. Every inch of space is occupied, so it’s time to let it go.

Here is an example of how the addiction to collection plays out. I became enamored with the quaint idea of having a tea party. So I started collecting items that I would need to host a true English afternoon tea. I bought many tea items acquiring a good collection of pots, cups, sugar bowls and creamers, tea strainers, linens and tablecloths. I collected recipes for scones, finger sandwiches, pastries, tarts, and I practiced making quiches, and tea biscuits. I read magazines on tablescapes and how to choose the correct tea to serve with certain foods and how to brew the perfect pot of tea. Once I had a sizable collection of tea accouterments, I shopped for tea leaves. They were nowhere to be found, all tea comes in bags now rendering my silver-plated strainers useless and ultimately the tea party was abandoned. Now I wonder how many teapots and tea accessories does the Mad Hatter need? Let it go.

Maybe I have been cured of swing moods of acquiring things simply by realizing that we are not defined by our possessions. Material possessions do not make me a better person; even the Grinch realized that you could not buy Christmas in stores. Life is more about family and friends and can never be replaced by what we have stored inside our houses. The stuff needs to go.

To illustrate our misplaced valuation of worth, there is the story of a very successful businessman who was so pleased with his vast wealth he did not want to part with it even at death. He thought that if he could take it with him in a suitcase, surely he could get through the Pearly Gates with one bag. So he packed his suitcase and upon his death he arrived before St. Peter with the luggage in tow. St. Peter informed him that heaven was built of many mansions and that he did not need to bring anything in with him. But as a great negotiator and shrewd man, his persuasive arguments convinced the Gatekeeper to consider his request. St. Peter had one requirement, he would need to inspect the contents of the suitcase and then make a decision. Bargain made. St. Peter opened the suitcase, discovering that it was filled with gold ingots. He looked up at the man, shook his head in sadness and asked: “Why are you bringing road pavement to heaven?”

We all have useless items, things that do not matter to anyone else, things we cannot take with us when we depart from this world. As I think of how rewarding it will be to unstuff myself, I realize that the time spent collecting things is what was important; it was not wasted. After all, accumulation of a collection, in and of itself, is entertaining and the enjoyment is in finding that rare piece for the right price when you are shopping with the right person. But in the final analysis, the only thing we should keep are secrets. And, maybe where we hid the bodies.