The Yield: Old things bring comfort in a new life together

March 28, 2008 03:03 am

— The carpenter had been finished for three days. I still didn’t feel settled. Edgy feelings were intensifying. Everywhere I looked piles of books lay against the wall in our remodeled living area. An array of china and crystal glittered sadly from beneath a layer of sawdust. Their haphazard layout on the dining room table was a paradox to the table setting befitting china and crystal.
Everything traveled well to our new home from the farm except the shelves from my antique China cabinet. Just as they were to be moved to the dining room, they fell to the floor and broke into halves where a wood worker had glued them together some 80 years ago.
The small bedroom was cluttered with clothing needing a closet. There were odds and ends, which had no place to go. From the first, I let go of many things I thought I could live without. Stan and I decided to keep some that Pam, Stan’s wife, had for homemaking before she died. Others were let go. I was grateful the young man who bought our farm agreed to take much of the furniture and cooking utensils I would not need.
Several trips were made to the Salvation Army, our children took things they wanted, and I gave some items to friends who came during the move. The slightest suggestion of their interest, and they walked out the door with the item.
Still there was not enough room. I purchased several large plastic tubs to store sentimental items in the basement. As I brought some of my favorite treasures into our home, I felt more comfortable. Gradually Stan and I are making one home. How rich I feel as we blend our two lives together, remembering the past and our loved ones.
Gracie, Stan’s 4-year-old tiny Sheltie, was nervous during the remodeling. She would shake and stay underfoot. When we worked on the floor, she would sit on the backs of my legs and slide along with me as I scrubbed the floor. She did the same to Stan as he checked outlets.
She has to go to the office, we agreed. So we took her little lined bed, food, water, toys and her chew bone to the office. We shut the door and worked without her getting hurt.
For a while after the banging and carpenter left, Gracie was clingy. Worse yet, the new floor stumped her. Her dexterity as a Sheltie was hampered. No longer could she run and make soaring leaps to be on the couch to be with Stan and me. A shiny wood floor had replaced the carpet. She learned to run and take a leap from the side.
Like the rest of us, the plaster dust made her cough. She begged to go outside. Once there she held up her tiny black nose and sniffed into the cold February wind. I’d call her to come, but she’d tilt her little head in defiance as if to say, “You shut me in that room for five days, you can just wait for me!”
During this time, I remembered Jesus’ disciples being sent out, by Him, to preach. In Matthew, He commanded them to heal, cleanse and teach about the kingdom of heaven being at hand. He said take no silver or gold, only one coat and one pair of shoes, for a workman is worthy of his meat. Matthew 10:10
After about the fourth pick-up load, another scripture came to mind. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt ... but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt ... for where your treasure is there will be your heart. Matthew 6:19-20

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