Memories of a Packrat

Lately, I have decided that I should go through everything I have and cut down on my possessions. This is a challenge for me, because I am, by nature, a packrat. I like to feel that I am always prepared for whatever might come. Though preparedness is a wise thing, it is, overall, my downfall. My “addiction” has left me with boxes of odd, mismatch objects and years of memoirs from my haunting past. To be entirely truthful, I have only gone through one of many corrugated cardboard boxes from my closet, yet so many memories were contained within. During my grade school years, I was enthralled by, if not magnetically attracted to, all sorts of interesting rocks and stones. I built up an extensive collection of gems and clumps of minerals. Among these were cut rubies, sapphires, and emerald, as well as raw amethysts, granite, and jade. I collected stones whose colors matched those of rainbows and rocks that matched much of nature. I dedicated years to gathering beautiful and uncommon objects from the ground, and within a day, I rid my closet storehouses of the same rare possessions. Years of work that I had dwindled down to just the best of what I had. On the other hand, many other objects that this one box contained have no other point, but to be had and wondered about. A foot and a half of clear, flexible pipe and a pilot’s log lay almost entirely unused. A key to some ancient Ford sits gathering dust. Honduran lempiras from my father and brother’s mission trip there remind me of the experience they had had. Scrap paper of designs that were never completed and notes quickly forgotten lay hidden far beneath other possessions that I do or did hold dear. These are some memories of a packrat, take them as you may. Remember your past, but don’t dwell on it. Understand how you were, so you can see where you are going. You have already lived the past, the present is for you to live, and the future, so you can dream. Look Out for my Next Post, Benjamin Hudson

Childhood Memories

Do you remember all the fun things that you did when you were a kid? Things come to mind for me, such as playing in the McD’s Play place, flying kites, and climbing trees. I had such a wonderful childhood. Upon considering the past, I all of the sudden was filled with a desire to do these things once again. I climbed a tree first. I couldn’t believe it, that tree seemed so much smaller than I remembered it. I had an enjoyable time, but it wasn’t the same. It didn’t seem the same hardship, the same adventure, the same achievement as it had. Looking from far up in the tree down to the ground, it wasn’t as high as I had imagined in my younger years. There was little the same, besides a small boost of adrenaline when thinking about having to get back down. Kite flying was next. When I stood there, looking up toward the object on the far end of the string, I noticed I had different thoughts. When I was small, I was enthralled by the gliding kite catching the light breeze. At my present age, my mind, instead, swarmed with questions. “How does a kite work?” “Why doesn’t it fly straight?” “What is the tail for?” As the string comes to an end in my hand, I wish it would go higher still, but it’s not to be. I am far too old to easily play at the McDonald’s, but I’m positive the outcome would be the same. I’m not the same person I was. My size, energy level, and perspective on life have all changed. I walk away from this blog with the painful realization that I have changed, for better or worse, and, in most ways, there is no turning back. Dare to Readers: I dare each one of you to try something again. Remind yourself of something you did as a kid and do it once more. After trying out the fun things of your past, comment back to this blog. Look Out for my Next Post, Benjamin Hudson