Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 03.07.2008 (Article Archived on 17.07.2008)

The past few weeks have been incredibly busy for me. I am going out on my long summer vacation in a week, and have lots of projects to tie up before I go.

Then, I got the opportunity to move to a location more desirable to me, so on top of every else on my plate, I’m packing and moving – and I have the bruises to prove it!

I have to admit that it amazes me how it is that a person who lives in one room can collect so much stuff!  I’ve always suffered from being a bit of a pack rat, but it is truly amazing what one person can accumulate in a little over five years.  On top of the regular things like clothes, books, CDs and DVDs, I have loads of pictures to remind me of my family and the good times I’ve shared with loved ones and friends.  I have diving gear, camping gear, scuba gear, hiking and hashing gear, and the list goes on.  Then there are the many files that go along with being the secretary of the dive club.  All my research for the Heritage Society has resulted in more files.  I’ve been delving into my family’s genealogy and have a number of binders and files as a result!  Then there is everything I have for Brownies, and the list goes on!

So as I attempt to move all this clutter that accompanies my life from one room to another, it makes me think about the clutter that we allow into our lives.  How many times have we heard about how people become so concerned about collecting material things that they forget about what truly matters.  I like to think that my genealogy files, Heritage research and family photos are more important than the items that people collect when they collect expensive toys and knick-knacks.  But, if I were honest, I’d have to admit that a lot of what I have isn’t really that important in the grand scheme of things. 

I really hope that the things that I have don’t clutter my life to the point that I forget what really matters.  And that is being a good person, a good friend and a good relative.  I got the shocking news this week that my niece’s husband suffered a heart attack.  He is 42, a non-smoker, non-drinker, a man who exercises regularly and appears to be in the prime of health.  It was a shock to everyone.  He is home from the hospital, and hopefully will be fine.  But it certainly makes us wonder what is around the next corner.  He has two young daughters, who missed him terribly when he was in hospital, and a loving wife who counts on him.  It is a wake up call that we never know what the next day will bring.