Homebodies - 'I don't know how to love this many cars...'

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Published on Saturday, March 18, 2017

By Rita Friesen

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Old favourite books take their turn on the nightstand. Back again and loved as much as when I first read it is “My Grandfather’s Blessing”, stories of strength, refuge and belonging, by Rachel Naomi Remen. The stories are from her work, a counsellor for those with chronic and terminal illness, and from her life, the daughter of survivors of the Holocaust. She grew strength and faith from her grandfather, a scholar of the Kabbalah, the mystical teachings of Judaism.  It is the type of book that each page provides an opportunity for introspection and growth.

One illustration spoke to me clearly this week. A young friend of hers, a lad of six, had two Hot Wheel cars. He treasured them and allowed her to play with them, with him. Seeing his delight in the two battered cars, Rachel came up with a plan to provide him with more cars while not offending his struggling parents. She summoned her friends to patronize a particular gas station that was giving away one Hot Wheel car with every fill. Working together, checking awards, they ensured there were no duplicates but one of every style made to that date. The next time she went to visit and play, all the cars were parked and he was not playing with any of them. When Rachel asked if he didn’t care for cars any more –“He looked away and in a quivery voice he said, ‘ I don’t know how to love this many cars.’ “

Is that why we lose sight of the value of some of our possessions? We have too many? I recall a set of dishes my mother carefully collected from Quaker oatmeal. Pink with grey airbrushing around the top. She treasured them. Truthfully, we, as a family needed them. And truthfully, I have no idea if any of the set survived. Replaced by Corelle, the indestructible.  

Are we so inundated with things, luxuries, do- dads and what-nots, that we are jaded to their value and beauty? In the ‘Little House’ books, the china shepherdess moved from home to home with them, Pa carefully constructing a shelf for her, and when all the moving was complete, and the shepherdess on the shelf, they were home. There are stories of travellers, staying in one short term home after another, having one table covering that is always with them, and when it is in place, they are home. I love that image.

Through the years I have attempted to downsize. My books are my friends, and it is a rare day that a book that is placed on the discard pile actually leaves the house. I love my clothes, and when I go on holiday I struggle to decide which ones get to come along. In the china cabinet there is a mismatched creamer and sugar set that has travelled forever with me, I admire their shape and colour. In all of life I want to be aware of when I have too many Hot Wheels and forget to love what I have.