The light became orange as the sun was covered by the smoke cloud. Ash fell from the sky in flurries, and the suffocating smell of burning pine was almost tangible. I had been driving almost 7 hours, due to traffic from fires and I had been looking forward to coming home; only to arrive in time to be told to gather supplies for 24 hours in case we would be evacuated.
I recalled all those times when people would ask rhetorically. "If your house was on fire what would you save?" Now I had to answer this question realizing that whatever I didn't pack in the back of my car I might never see again. I was surprised at how close my hypothetical answers came to reality.
First we gathered non-perishable food items. (bread and water)
Then one pair of clothes, shoes etc.
Scriptures, letters, camera, and chargers for phone, iPad etc
First aid kit.
and then whatever else would fit into a small bag.
As we loaded all of this into the back of our car I looked back into our small apartment and looked at all the things we were leaving behind. All of the things that mattered, but everything I needed I managed to fit into one small bag.
After helping someone pack up to move I was very aware of how easy it is to accumulate "stuff", and how easy it is to worry about things rather than people.
In this Video titled "What Matters Most" President Thomas S. Monson describes how the things that matter most in life aren't really things at all, but people.
When it all boils down people are what matter most. People can be frustrating, rude, or inconvenient at times, But people are what help us give meaning to our lives, and make memories that we can cherish no matter what comes our way!
Take some time this weekend to share one of your memories with that someone. We all have people we care about, let them know!
I promise that you will never regret the decision to share your gratitude for those you love, and always remind them that they are what Matters Most to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment