Driving down the street today I noticed a neighbor had several items sitting on the ground next to his garbage bins. I smiled to myself. Ah. It’s the new year and people are thinking about cleaning up and weeding out items that are no longer of value. I do that year around, although as I am putting away holiday décor, I have started a box of give-away items. And I am filling my garbage can with things no longer useful.
One of my goals for 2026 is to read 24 books. Some of you are thinking, “big deal” and others are thinking “that many!” Underlying this goal is a different motivation. I have too many books in shelves – not only in my office but on shelves throughout my home. Some have never been read; others are waiting for a second or third reading. Regardless, it is time to begin honing the collection to those tomes that are especially important to me.
Cookbooks are my friends. For Christmas I displayed four Christmas-inspired cookbooks. When I went to put them away, the cookbook shelves had expanded into another bookcase. I needed to make room. In doing so, I came across some old “Who’s Who” publications. Some of these have moved around the country with me and sat on bookshelves since the 1980s! It was definitely time to part with these encyclopedias of peoples’ identities and accomplishments.
Of course I had to take one last look at my entry before tossing the [very heavy] books into the recycling bin. Imagine my dismay when I read my full name (including my maiden name), my birthdate and birth location, parents names, children’s names, and places I worked. Immediately I tore out those pages and ran them through the shredder, as if somehow that would hide these personal details.
It is naïve to think that would be the end of it. What have the hundreds or thousands of other people done with my information – and theirs?! The thought trail took me back to that time – a simpler life when we were more trusting; more open with strangers. When one would think nothing of picking up a hitch-hiker to help them to the next destination. A time when everyone knew their neighbors as they were not hidden away behind camera doorbells and gated communities. It was a time when we celebrated others’ accomplishments instead of trying to “one-up” them. Ah. The good ol’ days.
Maybe we can start with ourselves and one-by-one expand our private worlds to others – at least by reaching out to neighbors or people at church or the grocery store. A simple smile to a stranger goes a long way and just may instill in them a sense that life is worth living.
I’m glad to be reminded that people are important. Things are not. I am going to reach out to some acquaintances; then resume the cleaning and organizing to begin a new year fresh and happy.
Silver Sage Sisters 