We are moving. Downsizing. Simplifying.
That means I have to purge. I’ve taken several loads to Goodwill, a few to the garbage transfer station, and I’ve even deposited some treasures in my son’s basement for him to enjoy.
Last weekend I began digging into the boxes mysteriously labeled “memorabilia.” Precious artifacts hide in these containers. I uncovered high school prom pictures, baby announcements, yellowed newspaper clippings, and a few silly and rather embarrassing love letters. Each piece took me on a journey through the archives of my life. Sometimes I laughed. Sometimes I cried. Frequently I asked myself the existential question: “Why do I still have this stuff?”
Yesterday I explored the contents of my wedding box. Inside — an empty champagne bottle from the Denver Hilton, our guestbook, a yellowed ring-bearers pillow, and about a hundred wedding cards. I saved the cards for that day when I’d want to look at them again. I began chiding myself for hoarding all of this STUFF, when a thought struck me: THIS is that day! You saved these for some day….. and this is it!
Sprawled out on the garage floor, I opened each and every card. Blessings written by friends of long ago flooded my heart. I 
was overcome by the realization that many of those who sent them 42 years ago have passed away. I ran my fingers over every signature, knowing that loved ones – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends – had written congratulatory words in their distinctive penmanship. Particularly striking were the messages exhorting us to pursue God, follow his direction, lean into his guidance. Suddenly I was aware of the presence of these dear ones in my life even today. I realized that the same people who wrote with a ballpoint pen continue, even now, to cheer us on – our own “cloud of witnesses.”
With tears of gratitude and remembrance, I bundled the cards up. Time to let them go. I had saved them for some day, and this was that day. As I threw them into the recycling bin, I looked up and gave a little wave – just in case they were waiting for this day too.
Written by Leona Bergstrom, Director, Re-Ignite
