The Things We Carry...

The things they carried were largely determined by necessity. Among the necessities or near-necessities were P-38 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs, wristwatches, dog tags, mosquito repellent, chewing gum, candy, cigarettes, salt tablets, packets of Kool-Aid, lighters, matches, sewing kits, Military Payment certificates, C rations, and two or tree canteens of water. Together, these items weighted between 15 and 20 pounds, depending upon a man's habits or rate of metabolism... (from Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried.)

Franz Kafka's, The Castle, which I have never read, made it thru a fire and a trip across the county before I picked it up last week in my move and asked "why is this book coming with me? I have never read it, I probably won't and I can get the exact same translation from the library." I thought, as I looked at the small amount of stuff I had to move 10 blocks to my new apartment, why did I bring these things, why did I carry these things across 7 states when they were not "the necessities" or even the "near-necessities". Tim O'Brien's book, The Things They Carried, did make it across the county. Some books made it to and from West Africa. A few bit of jewelry made it from my childhood to now. Clothes I've kept through a few seasons (if they're not worn more than two in a row then they go to Goodwill), some letters, plays and my art. But when I look at it all, what are the important things we carry in our lives? Some of it was packed in boxes and moved to my beautiful, spacious, bright new apartment. Most of the things I value are not able to packed into a box - ever.