And I'm not even religious.
I wrote to our buddy Val recently about how my heart breaks for all those who lost their family pictures and more in fleeing the communist tyranny of Cuba. If I had to flee, be it fire or any other disaster (including political), the first thing I would grab after people and pets is pictures.
Seriously.
I can replace stuff. I can buy new furniture. I can buy a new house. For that matter, even losing everything of monetary value, I can work and replace it.
Pictures and family treasures are irreplaceable.
But, even as a devout agnostic, I consider myself blessed. No idea why I should be so, but there you have it. In addition to pictures, I have in my possession (or available to pass on to future generations):
My parents' high school yearbooks
My grandmother's high school yearbook
College yearbooks from not only my grandmother, but several other relatives
My dear cousin's passport
Pictures of not only my parents, but my grandparents, great grandparents, and even great-great grandparents.
Mementos from many of these people, including Christmas cards, souvenirs, and more. I may even add to this list if I think of more of the many treasures I have discovered.
Val, my friend, my heart goes out to you. Start building your children's memories now.
Posted by Ken S at September 25, 2007 07:57 PM | TrackBack (0) |I grew up in a house full of memorabilia to the point you could not move. I have almost nothing. You can't take it with you, so why collect it?
Posted by: Zendo Deb at September 25, 2007 09:16 PMMy father-in-law lost all that stuff in his scramble to get off of Hainan with his unit. I would pay a lot of money to get that knapsack back.
On the other hand we are lucky to have him. Of 800 men in his batallion, he is one of 17 who survived. He talks about sleeping amonst corpses in order to get the jump on the commies, and counting hte bullet holes in his jacket (2) after he got on the troopship.
Posted by: John at September 26, 2007 04:33 AMYou can't take it with you, so why collect it?
In my case it's simple: So our children know where they came from. I dont have kids, but my nieces and nephews and cousins all do and undoubtedly will. They have last names like "Lopez" and "Estrada" and such and one day, when those kids get older, they are going to want to know how it is that they were blessed with being Americans. They will need to know what their parents and grandparents and great grandparents lived through and sacrificed for the privilege of their being Americans.
Posted by: Val Prieto at September 26, 2007 05:27 AMYou can't take it with you, so why collect it?
Val has a good answer.
And because you can enjoy it while you're here, and then pass it on to someone else in your family. I have pictures of my relatives - some of whom died before I was born - all over the place at my house. It makes me feel a little more grounded and a little less lonely. And when you're 700 miles from your nearest relative, that's kind of a valuable thing.
I also have a few things people MADE for me over the years (like a quilt my mom made me). Also irreplaceable. That would definitely be one of the things I grabbed and stuffed in my car if the river started rising and I had to get out of town.
I realize everyone's different; some people need to travel lighter than others. Me, I need to travel "heavy" (in terms of pictures and family keepsakes) or else I start to feel a little disconnected and insubstantial.
Posted by: ricki at September 26, 2007 08:10 AMNo, you can't take it with you, but that's not the point: it's something you can pass on.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at September 26, 2007 08:23 AMI never knew either of my grandfathers, so one of my most treasured possessions is my maternal grandfather's dog tags, his citizenship papers, his marriage license and a signed pass dated 1943, authorizing him to visit Ireland on leave.
Posted by: Tainted Bill at September 26, 2007 01:00 PMThat's so cool, Bill.
Deb, I understand being overwhelmed by knick knacks (Xenu knows my Mom collected more than her fair share of Dodger memorabilia) but pictures (and even some special mementos) are a different matter.
And hell, I even love the dumb stuff my ancestors collected over the years. It helps bring the past alive.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at September 26, 2007 07:30 PM