Things We Lose Along the Way

There's a movie I saw a couple of years ago, starring Halle Berry entitled "Things We Lost in the Fire."  Possibly not the most uplifting movie I've ever seen, but when I was watching it, I was in the middle of my own personal aftermath of a fire and loss. (Symbolically speaking)  Of course, the setting was very depressing.  The main character is a mom just trying to keep things together after the sudden passing of her husband.  She keeps flashing back to a time in their lives when a fire destroyed their garage, and they  subsequently lost all their pictures and keepsakes that she kept stored in there.  His answer to all her grief and depression over the loss of these things was to just hold her and tell her, "They're just things."

To make a long story short, and because some stories are better left untold....when I chose to end a very unhealthy relationship and lifestyle (almost 5 years ago now), I left it all.  Of course, coming to a decision and acting on it was a long process, but when the feet actually hit the pavement, it was as if I was fleeing a fire or flood.  All I took with me were the things that mattered the most.  My daughter, my dog, and some clothes to keep us warm.  I left my car, all the rest of my clothes and personal items, every picture and family video, and other countless things. Those items didn't bother me.   It was all those special moments and pictures. All of Naomi's baby pictures, school pictures, awards, a special baby box I kept for her to save and preserve all her baby memories.  It was as if they had burned.  I wanted them, thought about them all the time - cried over them, but in my heart I knew "They were just things." 

 The other night, I was asked to drive out to the old house, that is now being seized by the bank - to pick up my things.  It's been so long that I have absolutely no clue what kind of stuff was thrown into the shed after being plucked out of the attic.  I am not a person who hangs onto a lot of things, so I'm sure most of it will end up being donated.  However, I am hoping and praying that somewhere in that heap of a past life will be all those pictures and mementos that I left in the fire. 

I have been able to gather up a few little albums here and there over the years.  However, this is possibly one of my favorite pictures ever.