What Matters Most

Texas has been experiencing the worst drought in its state since the 1950's. The lack of measurable rainfall combined with the extremely high temperatures this past summer have given rise to numerous wildfires. A couple of my nieces live on ranches in Texas, one in Columbus and one in Arp. They both have had to load their cars with their valuable possessions in order to evacuate upon a moment's notice. I was amused in spite of their crises to hear what mattered most to one of my nephews, a seven-year-old. When his mother told him that they might have to leave and to gather up what he considered important, he came out with two cowboy hats on his head, a spray bottle of men's cologne, and an armful of Dr. Pepper's.

I have been thinking about what I would gather up myself in such an emergency. Most of us go for the electronic apparatus along with the family photographs and heirlooms. Since I value writing, I also would grab a copy of my yet unpublished novel and the computer drive that houses all the digital pictures from the past few years. Family Bibles have also been important in our family through the years. I value my mother's Bible and my grandmother's Bible the most since they were prone to write notes in the margins about life in general, not just theological issues. My cabinet includes a Bible given to my mother in 1928 by her paternal grandmother with the admonition "to read and follow." There is a Bible given to my step-grandfather by my grandmother Ethel in 1951 with the plan of salvation written by hand on the first page. I have a Bible given to my daughter Kimberly when she was six by her paternal grandmother. I have a small white Bible given to me by the Women's Missionary Union at a ceremony before I was married forty-six years ago. I even have a Bible written in German from our trip to Germany seven years ago. I can't imagine living without these family treasures.

After I am gone, my children will find a number of writings in my Bible as well. I am fond of writing down quotations from the various books I have been reading in retirement. Some are cynical, some are serious. I also have a couple of essays that I haven't shared with anyone. Our lives go by so quickly that it's simply impossible to say all we want to in this life, but I am hoping these writings will be what my children also value most.