Reminders

I am so grateful.

While I have purchased some new things for this trip (and the last posts might make it seem that I'm a profligate spender), most of you who are reading know that this is not "normal" for me.

It is the little things coming with me — from friends near and far — that are the most special. 

In the Great Purge, I was only able to keep a very few things that were either necessary for daily life or irreplaceable family heirlooms. Everything I kept fit into two small 8'x10'x10' storage units and my backpack. At the point when I closed the door on the house, I didn't even have a car.

The items that I've been gifted with are doubly treasured, not only for what they are, but for the friendship and the memories they represent. All of these will be coming with me on this trip:

Swiss army knife: I have carried this knife with me for almost 40 years. I've used it countless times for one reason or another. It's unique, with an antique car emblem on it, and I've never seen another one like it. It fit me perfectly, since it doesn't have a corkscrew! Thank you, Pat Murphy!  

ThermaRest pad: I have slept on this every single night that I've not been house/pet-sitting or backpacking. It's been SO nice to have just a little more padding and insulation on the cot. Thank you, Linda! 

Bookmark from Peru(?): Every time I use this when reading a real book, I admire the design and the stones and remember our friendship over the past 30+ years. I've even used it as a hair decoration, it's so pretty. Thank you, Jane! 

Socks! Yes! Socks! When you only have a few pairs, they tend to wear out quickly! Thank you Dee and Katharine! 

Slippers! Susan... I'll think of you every time these are on my feet. I'm so happy to have something I can easily slip on and are sturdy enough for a quick dash out of the car. I might even drive in them! And I even like your mom's "decorations." 

Backpacking stove: Fran, thank you again so much for this, especially since I was so unhappy to have lost mine. It's a great little backup stove.  

Aluminum (AKA "Sharpe") camping plates: You know these! Technically, these weren't given to me (they were scrounged from various thrift shops), but such good memories are attached to them that they need to be included here.

Bright red "ladybug" hand-knit cotton dishcloth: I use this pretty much every day, and I will think of you, Chris, working on your next knitting project!  

Arequipa beach towel, mini-duffel & thermos: Yaaay for Girl Scouts! The beach towel is perfect: big enough to lie on in the sun, or cover anything <ahem> that needs covering in a hostel, yet not so heavy that it takes a lot of space. I keep my sundries in the red duffel, and the thermos is just the right size for hot or cold drinks. I'll take a picture of the Girl Scout goodies somewhere up north and send it to you. Thanks, Sharon, and the Camp Arequipa Team! 

Richard Solo iPhone battery: While I haven't used it that much until now, it WILL get used on this trip, because I'm going to have to deal with power management! Karen, we have shared so much over the years since the kids were little, when we two night owls stayed up late working on the school directories. Good times! (Seems like there is a metaphor here for us, as we always seem to be working on reserve power!)

Waterbrush: Mary, I'm really looking forward to using this more on this trip. I could only hope that a tiny bit of your awesome talent might have magically flowed into its bristles! You are an inspiration in many ways, and I'll miss running into you on local walks. May all your waves be good ones... 

Silver oak leaf earrings: These are truly precious, as they remind me of the big oak tree in our yard at 577 Magnolia, of travels and trips shared, and of a mutual love of nature and gardens. Thank you, my sweet daughter. I love you, and you are with me always.

And it is odd — and something of a shock — that as I've written this, the home in Larkspur that we sold in November, 2014, is back on the market. It is… changed. And while on one level I cannot deny that it's disconcerting to see those changes, on another level, it doesn't matter one whit. Because the times that were shared at that remarkable house — kids and their friends swinging from the oak tree, guide dog puppies cavorting on the lawn and cats sleeping in the sun, friends gathering for Oktoberfest and Sharpe dinners and Fourth-of-July waffle breakfasts, plants lovingly added to the garden one-by-one — those memories are what last forever.

And I will take them wherever I go.