I hate packing.
And I am Positive I've said that before, but I will say it again. I hate packing.
I can't really figure out what it is or why exactly I hate it so much.
Maybe its the pressure.... fit everything you want and need for the next (amount of time) into one or two bags. AND make sure they are only so big or small. AND make sure they don't weigh too much. AND make sure the liquids are small enough. AND of course don't forget anything. AND AND AND
Maybe its because I am forced to make choices.... black shoes or brown? .... but if I take the black pants, these shoes look better.... I like this top, but then will I need a sweater?... this shirt is light weight..... but I like that one more.... does this look better or this one .... is that too much? (yes. the answer to this one for me is always yes.).... but what if..... ugh!
Maybe its because I am realize how much stuff I have .... (that I may not be making the most use of). That's not an excessive number of pants.... thats not too many shirts.... but, what if, someday, just by chance, I want to wear this.... no one should have as many t shirts as I did. I don't even think some of those were mine! Where do these things come from!! .... Knock yourself out, Goodwill. Sell it all at once, I dare you!
But I think the real reason I hate packing is that I can't pack what I really want....I can't pack my family. I can't pack my friends. I can't pack that happy, adorable, 20-pounds-of-drool nephew of mine (technically he fits in the suitcase, but they have laws about that)! I can't pack my parent's house. Or my sister's. Or my favorite places. Or the smell of fall. Or the beautiful sun setting over the fields.
I can't pack those things.
The sermons at church this past month have discussed consumerism and our never-ending desire for more. I live simply and yet still feel I own a surprising amount of stuff. In one sermon, the pastor asked "what would you grab if you only had a few minutes to get out?" I have of course asked myself variations of this question hundreds of times! But it reminded me again, I can't take the things I really want.
Of course, this also reminded me of how richly blessed I am!!! To have a life so full no suitcase could ever contain it. To know that I could fill suitcases with all the amazing memories and laughs I have shared with loved ones. To know that if I had nothing but the people in my life, I would still be happy....Those are priceless things.
And, no, I can't pack them. But I do take them with me. I have a 'suitcase' overflowing with wonderful moments from the summer and past. As I sat rocking my nephew to sleep the other night, I unpacked a few of the precious 'things' in that suitcase. They make saying goodbye so hard, and yet at the same time, those things are what give me the strength to follow my heart and God to wherever he may send me. No matter how far or near.
So thank you, family and friends, who helped fill my memory suitcase over the last month. I have loved our times together. I look forward to many more.
And I am so grateful airlines can't charge excess fees on these!! ;)
And I am Positive I've said that before, but I will say it again. I hate packing.
I can't really figure out what it is or why exactly I hate it so much.
Maybe its the pressure.... fit everything you want and need for the next (amount of time) into one or two bags. AND make sure they are only so big or small. AND make sure they don't weigh too much. AND make sure the liquids are small enough. AND of course don't forget anything. AND AND AND
Maybe its because I am forced to make choices.... black shoes or brown? .... but if I take the black pants, these shoes look better.... I like this top, but then will I need a sweater?... this shirt is light weight..... but I like that one more.... does this look better or this one .... is that too much? (yes. the answer to this one for me is always yes.).... but what if..... ugh!
Maybe its because I am realize how much stuff I have .... (that I may not be making the most use of). That's not an excessive number of pants.... thats not too many shirts.... but, what if, someday, just by chance, I want to wear this.... no one should have as many t shirts as I did. I don't even think some of those were mine! Where do these things come from!! .... Knock yourself out, Goodwill. Sell it all at once, I dare you!
But I think the real reason I hate packing is that I can't pack what I really want....I can't pack my family. I can't pack my friends. I can't pack that happy, adorable, 20-pounds-of-drool nephew of mine (technically he fits in the suitcase, but they have laws about that)! I can't pack my parent's house. Or my sister's. Or my favorite places. Or the smell of fall. Or the beautiful sun setting over the fields.
I can't pack those things.
The sermons at church this past month have discussed consumerism and our never-ending desire for more. I live simply and yet still feel I own a surprising amount of stuff. In one sermon, the pastor asked "what would you grab if you only had a few minutes to get out?" I have of course asked myself variations of this question hundreds of times! But it reminded me again, I can't take the things I really want.
Of course, this also reminded me of how richly blessed I am!!! To have a life so full no suitcase could ever contain it. To know that I could fill suitcases with all the amazing memories and laughs I have shared with loved ones. To know that if I had nothing but the people in my life, I would still be happy....Those are priceless things.
And, no, I can't pack them. But I do take them with me. I have a 'suitcase' overflowing with wonderful moments from the summer and past. As I sat rocking my nephew to sleep the other night, I unpacked a few of the precious 'things' in that suitcase. They make saying goodbye so hard, and yet at the same time, those things are what give me the strength to follow my heart and God to wherever he may send me. No matter how far or near.
So thank you, family and friends, who helped fill my memory suitcase over the last month. I have loved our times together. I look forward to many more.
And I am so grateful airlines can't charge excess fees on these!! ;)
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