As seen in the Dayton Daily News on Feb. 28, 2015.
I just closed the novel I’ve been reading. The story took place during World War I. There were many injustices committed during the War. One of those being the looting and theft of people’s personal belongings.
While reading through the chapters, I couldn’t help noticing how many times people placed emotional feelings on material things.
A woman’s portrait is the focus of the book. It was enjoyed immensely by its original owners. For others who later owned it, it caused jealously, resentment, anger, fear, grief, suspicion, greed, time spent in court and attorney fees.
One chapter described how many of the residents in a town over taken by soldiers hid as many of their belongings as possible, so they would not be stolen.
One afternoon, a grandfather clock was heard chiming. A neighbor confessed to burying some of his belongings; including the grandfather clock, so they wouldn’t be taken.
The clock chimed every hour and could be heard clearly, even though it was underground. The townspeople grew afraid that it would be discovered and knew severe punishments would follow.
After reading that chapter, I set the book down and thought, “Stuff becomes so important to people that they would risk severe punishment, even death, to keep it safe.”
Later in the book, some of the residents were being marched off to camps. Many of the people took their family heirlooms and other valuables with them. Their possessions were heavy and awkward, but they kept carrying them despite their starvation and exhaustion.
Once they reached the camps, their belongings were usually confiscated.
In retrospect, I’m sure many realized they should have been holding their loved ones hands during their walk, instead of their candelabras.
I’m not saying our stuff shouldn’t be important, but what risks should we take to protect it? What emotions and costs are you willing to go through for your stuff?
In modern day times, I see people place such importance on their stuff that they risk their family’s health and happiness.
I see homes filled with so much stuff that it harbors great amounts of dust, mold, insect infestations and even rodents.
Talk to any estate attorney, estate sale planner or organizer, and we have many stories of how stuff has caused emotional pain and the separation of family members.
We need to stop wasting time and emotional energy on stuff, and focus more on those we love. Anthony Brandt’s quote, “Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” reminds me not to place so much importance on the stuff I own. Instead, valuing time spent with friends and loved ones.
You can’t take it with you when you pass, but it can cause much grief for family members once you’re gone. How much time and energy do you want to spend on your belongings while you’re alive and well?